Post-authentication Remote Code Execution (RCE) in emissary:emissary
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
Emissary is a P2P based data-driven workflow engine. Affected versions of Emissary are vulnerable to post-authentication Remote Code Execution (RCE). The [`CreatePlace`](https://github.com/NationalSecurityAgency/emissary/blob/30c54ef16c6eb6ed09604a929939fb9f66868382/src/main/java/emissary/server/mvc/internal/CreatePlaceAction.java#L36) REST endpoint accepts an `sppClassName` parameter which is used to load an arbitrary class. This class is later instantiated using a constructor with the following signature: `<constructor>(String, String, String)`. An attacker may find a gadget (class) in the application classpath that could be used to achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE) or disrupt the application. Even though the chances to find a gadget (class) that allow arbitrary code execution are low, an attacker can still find gadgets that could potentially crash the application or leak sensitive data. As a work around disable network access to Emissary from untrusted sources.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NationalSecurityAgency | emissary | = 6.4.0 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- emissary VendorNationalSecurityAgency Affected = 6.4.0 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:nsa:emissary:6.4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.4.0 | Vulnerable | NationalSecurityAgency |
- cpe:2.3:a:nsa:emissary:6.4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.4.0 Vulnerable ·NationalSecurityAgency
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-32647
References
More NationalSecurityAgency Emissary vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-27685 Emissary has an OS Command Injection via Unvalidated IN_FILE_ENDING / OUT_FILE_ENDING in Executrix CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2021-12307 Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) in emissary:emissary CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
- TI-2026-27683 Emissary has GitHub Actions Shell Injection via Workflow Inputs CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.1
- TI-2021-12047 U.S. CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2021-12049 The ConsoleAction component of U.S. CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2021-12048 U.S. CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences