CVE-2009-2936

What it is

The Command Line Interface (aka Server CLI or administration interface) in the master process in the reverse proxy server in Varnish before 2.1.0 does not require authentication for commands received through a TCP port, which allows remote attackers to (1) execute arbitrary code via a vcl.inline directive that provides a VCL configuration file containing inline C code; (2) change the ownership of the master process via param.set, stop, and start directives; (3) read the initial line of an arbitrary file via a vcl.load directive; or (4) conduct cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks that leverage a victim's location on a trusted network and improper input validation of directives. NOTE: the vendor disputes this report, saying that it is "fundamentally misguided and pointless.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

63.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2009-08-23 00:00 UTC ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
2. 2010-04-05 16:30 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
3. 2026-06-16 23:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 63.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.5 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2010-04-05 16:30 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 23:10 UTC

Exploit probability

63.8% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-287 · Improper authentication

Record status

Modified

Affected

• varnish.projects.linpro Varnish 0.9
• varnish.projects.linpro Varnish 0.9.1
• varnish.projects.linpro Varnish 1.0
• varnish.projects.linpro Varnish 1.0.1
• varnish.projects.linpro Varnish 1.0.2
• varnish.projects.linpro Varnish 1.0.3
• varnish.projects.linpro Varnish 1.0.4
• varnish.projects.linpro Varnish 1.1

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 7.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

Partial

Integrity

Partial

Availability

Partial

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2009-2936.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2009-2936. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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