RCE in Ångström Distribution Project Narcissus
CVE-2012-10033
Narcissus is vulnerable to remote code execution via improper input handling in its image configuration workflow. Specifically, the backend.php script fails to sanitize the release parameter before passing it to the configure_image() function. This function invokes PHP’s passthru() with the unsanitized input, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary system commands. Exploitation occurs via a crafted POST request, resulting in command execution under the web server’s context.
Vulnerability class: Command Injection (OS Command Injection)
Published · last modified .
EPSS exploit prediction
EPSS: 0.017 (76.3th percentile), scored .
Low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, but still tracked. 76th percentile — 76.3% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.
EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.012 · newest: 0.017 · change: +0.005
Affected products
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/u… (exploit)
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/22709 (exploit)
- www.exploit-db.com/exploits/22856 (exploit)
- web.archive.org/web/20101127002623/https://narcissus.angstrom-distribution.org/ (product)
- www.vulncheck.com/advisories/narcissus-image-config-command-injection (third-party-advisory)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2012-10033?
- CVE-2012-10033 is a vulnerability in Ångström Distribution Project Narcissus, classified under OS Command Injection. Published 2025-08-05.
- Is CVE-2012-10033 known to be exploited?
- 1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.