CVE-2021-47851: Mini Mouse 9.2.0 RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2021-47851 Overview

CVE-2021-47851 is a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability affecting Mini Mouse version 9.2.0, a popular remote control application for iOS devices. The vulnerability exists in an unauthenticated HTTP endpoint that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. By sending specially crafted JSON requests to the /op=command endpoint, malicious actors can download and execute arbitrary payloads without any authentication requirements.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to achieve full system compromise through arbitrary command execution, potentially leading to data theft, malware installation, or complete system takeover.

Affected Products

• Mini Mouse 9.2.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-21 - CVE-2021-47851 published to NVD
• 2026-01-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2021-47851

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), commonly known as OS Command Injection. The Mini Mouse application exposes an HTTP endpoint that processes incoming JSON requests containing script commands. The application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before passing it to system command execution functions.

The attack surface is particularly dangerous because the vulnerable endpoint requires no authentication whatsoever. Any attacker with network access to the Mini Mouse service can exploit this vulnerability remotely. The impact is severe: successful exploitation grants the attacker the ability to execute arbitrary commands with the same privileges as the Mini Mouse application process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the lack of input validation and authentication on the /op=command HTTP endpoint. The application accepts JSON requests containing command parameters and directly executes these commands on the underlying operating system without sanitizing special characters or validating the legitimacy of the request. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious shell commands that are executed in the context of the application.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no user interaction or prior authentication. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to the Mini Mouse service's /op=command endpoint. The JSON payload contains malicious script commands that instruct the application to download and execute attacker-controlled payloads.

The exploitation process typically involves:

1. Identifying a target running Mini Mouse 9.2.0
2. Crafting a malicious JSON request containing shell commands
3. Sending the request to the /op=command endpoint
4. The vulnerable application executes the injected commands without validation

Technical details and proof-of-concept code are available through the Exploit-DB entry #49743 and the VulnCheck Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2021-47851

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests to the Mini Mouse service containing /op=command endpoint access
• Unexpected child processes spawned by the Mini Mouse application process
• Network connections to suspicious external hosts initiated by the Mini Mouse application
• Evidence of payload downloads or script execution in system logs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor network traffic for HTTP requests to Mini Mouse services containing suspicious JSON payloads or command-related parameters
• Deploy endpoint detection rules to identify unexpected process execution chains originating from the Mini Mouse application
• Implement IDS/IPS signatures to detect exploitation attempts targeting the /op=command endpoint
• Review application logs for anomalous command execution patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on systems running Mini Mouse to capture all HTTP request details
• Configure SIEM alerts for command injection attack patterns targeting known Mini Mouse endpoints
• Monitor for unusual outbound connections from systems hosting Mini Mouse services
• Implement file integrity monitoring on systems running the vulnerable application

How to Mitigate CVE-2021-47851

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable or uninstall Mini Mouse 9.2.0 immediately if not required for business operations
• Implement network segmentation to restrict access to systems running Mini Mouse
• Deploy firewall rules to block unauthorized network access to Mini Mouse service ports
• Conduct a security assessment to identify any systems potentially compromised through this vulnerability

Patch Information

Organizations should check for updated versions of Mini Mouse that address this vulnerability. Review the Apple App Store listing for the latest application version and security updates. If no patch is available, consider transitioning to alternative solutions that do not contain this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to the Mini Mouse service using host-based or network firewalls
• Implement network-level authentication or VPN requirements before allowing access to systems running Mini Mouse
• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) to filter malicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint
• Consider running Mini Mouse in an isolated network segment with no direct internet access

# Example firewall rule to restrict Mini Mouse access
# Block external access to Mini Mouse default port (adjust port as needed)
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -s ! 192.168.1.0/24 -j DROP

# Allow only trusted IP addresses
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -s 192.168.1.100 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -j DROP