# Summary
Log4j versions prior to 2.16.0 are subject to a remote code execution vulnerability via the ldap JNDI parser.
As per [Apache's Log4j security guide](https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/security.html): Apache Log4j2 <=2.14.1 JNDI features used in configuration, log messages, and parameters do not protect against attacker controlled LDAP and other JNDI related endpoints. An attacker who can control log messages or log message parameters can execute arbitrary code loaded from LDAP servers when message lookup substitution is enabled. From log4j 2.16.0, this behavior has been disabled by default.
Log4j version 2.15.0 contained an earlier fix for the vulnerability, but that patch did not disable attacker-controlled JNDI lookups in all situations. For more information, see the `Updated advice for version 2.16.0` section of this advisory.
# Impact
Logging untrusted or user controlled data with a vulnerable version of Log4J may result in Remote Code Execution (RCE) against your application. This includes untrusted data included in logged errors such as exception traces, authentication failures, and other unexpected vectors of user controlled input.
# Affected versions
Any Log4J version prior to v2.15.0 is affected to this specific issue.
The v1 branch of Log4J which is considered End Of Life (EOL) is vulnerable to other RCE vectors so the recommendation is to still update to 2.16.0 where possible.
## Security releases
Additional backports of this fix have been made available in versions 2.3.1, 2.12.2, and 2.12.3
## Affected packages
Only the `org.apache.logging.log4j:log4j-core` package is directly affected by this vulnerability. The `org.apache.logging.log4j:log4j-api` should be kept at the same version as the `org.apache.logging.log4j:log4j-core` package to ensure compatability if in use.
# Remediation Advice
## Updated advice for version 2.16.0
The Apache Logging Services team provided updated mitigation advice upon the release of version 2.16.0, which [disables JNDI by default and completely removes support for message lookups](https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/changes-report.html#a2.16.0).
Even in version 2.15.0, lookups used in layouts to provide specific pieces of context information will still recursively resolve, possibly triggering JNDI lookups. This problem is being tracked as [CVE-2021-45046](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-45046). More information is available on the [GitHub Security Advisory for CVE-2021-45046](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-7rjr-3q55-vv33).
Users who want to avoid attacker-controlled JNDI lookups but cannot upgrade to 2.16.0 must [ensure that no such lookups resolve to attacker-provided data and ensure that the the JndiLookup class is not loaded](https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/LOG4J2-3221).
Please note that Log4J v1 is End Of Life (EOL) and will not receive patches for this issue. Log4J v1 is also vulnerable to other RCE vectors and we recommend you migrate to Log4J 2.16.0 where possible.
For all affected software assets for which updates exist, the only acceptable remediation actions are: 1) Apply updates; OR 2) remove affected assets from agency networks. Temporary mitigations using one of the measures provided at https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ed-22-02-apache-log4j-recommended-mitigation-measures are only acceptable until updates are available.
For Log4j versions >=2.10
set the system property log4j2.formatMsgNoLookups or the environment variable LOG4J_FORMAT_MSG_NO_LOOKUPS to true
For Log4j versions >=2.7 and <=2.14.1
all PatternLayout patterns can be modified to specify the message converter as %m{nolookups} instead of just %m
For Log4j versions >=2.0-beta9 and <=2.10.0
remove the JndiLookup class from the classpath. For example:
```
zip -q -d log4j-core-*.jar org/apache/logging/log4j/core/lookup/JndiLookup.class
```
On OpenShift 4 and in OpenShift Logging, the above mitigation can be applied by following the steps in this article: https://access.redhat.com/solutions/6578421
On OpenShift 3.11, mitigation to the affected Elasticsearch component can be applied by following the steps in this article: https://access.redhat.com/solutions/6578441
CVE-2021-44228 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Apache Log4j2.
2
How severe is CVE-2021-44228?
CVE-2021-44228 is classified as critical with a severity value of 10.
3
Which software is affected by CVE-2021-44228?
Apache Log4j2 versions prior to 2.16.0 are affected by CVE-2021-44228.
4
How can I fix CVE-2021-44228?
To fix CVE-2021-44228, upgrade to Apache Log4j2 version 2.16.0 or later.
5
Where can I find more information about CVE-2021-44228?
You can find more information about CVE-2021-44228 at the following references: [CVE.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-44228), [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44228), [GitHub Advisory](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-jfh8-c2jp-5v3q), [Apache Log4j Security Guide](https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/security.html), [Lunasec Blog](https://www.lunasec.io/docs/blog/log4j-zero-day/), [Red Hat Bugzilla](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2030932), and [Red Hat Advisory](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2021:5137).
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