CVE-2021-45046

CVE-2021-45046: Apache Log4j2 Thread Context Message Pattern and Context Lookup Pattern vulnerable to a denial of service attack

Vendor Apache Software Foundation
Product Apache Log4j
Weakness CWE-917
KEV Status Known Exploited
Ransomware Used in campaigns
Published December 14, 2021
Last update October 21, 2025

CVSS base score

What the vulnerability does

01Description

It was found that the fix to address CVE-2021-44228 in Apache Log4j 2.15.0 was incomplete in certain non-default configurations. This could allows attackers with control over Thread Context Map (MDC) input data when the logging configuration uses a non-default Pattern Layout with either a Context Lookup (for example, $${ctx:loginId}) or a Thread Context Map pattern (%X, %mdc, or %MDC) to craft malicious input data using a JNDI Lookup pattern resulting in an information leak and remote code execution in some environments and local code execution in all environments. Log4j 2.16.0 (Java 8) and 2.12.2 (Java 7) fix this issue by removing support for message lookup patterns and disabling JNDI functionality by default.

CISA mandated remediation

02CISA Required Action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Key dates

03Disclosure timeline

December 14, 2021 CVE published
October 21, 2025 Record updated