What it is
CVE-2024-28986 is an unauthenticated vulnerability affecting SolarWinds Web Help Desk. SolarWinds Web Help Desk was found to be susceptible to a Java Deserialization Remote Code Execution vulnerability that, if...
Vulnerability report
Exploited in the wild
Confirmed confidence
In CISA KEV
CVE-2024-28986
Web Help Desk Deserialization
SolarWinds / Web Help Desk · 0 to <= 12.8.3
- Severity
- CVSS 9.8 · Critical
- Confidence
- Confirmed
- Exploit status
- Exploited in the wild
- EPSS
- 84.6%
- First observed
- —
- Last observed
- —
Decision summary
What security teams need to know first
Direct answers before the deeper technical record.
Is it exploited?
Yes. KEV Intelligence tracks this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability. Confidence is confirmed.
Who is affected?
SolarWinds / Web Help Desk 0 to <= 12.8.3.
What should we do?
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
Overview
Web Help Desk Deserialization
SolarWinds Web Help Desk was found to be susceptible to a Java Deserialization Remote Code Execution vulnerability that, if exploited, would allow an attacker to run commands on the host machine.
While it was reported as an unauthenticated vulnerability, SolarWinds has been unable to reproduce it without authentication after thorough testing.
However, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend all Web Help Desk customers apply the patch, which is now available.
Vendor
Product
Affected
Status
solarwinds
webhelpdesk
Through 12.8.3
Affected
SolarWinds
Web Help Desk
Through 12.8.3
Affected
- Published
- 13 Aug 2024
- Exploitation Reported
- 15 Aug 2024
- Attack vector
- Remote
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges
- None
- User interaction
- None
Tags
windows
java
nuclei_scanner
cisa
nessus_scanner
CVE References
- CVE Record CVE.org · CVE Record https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-28986
- solarwinds.com/trust-center/security-advisories/CVE-2024-28986 solarwinds.com · CVE Record https://www.solarwinds.com/trust-center/security-advisories/CVE-2024-...
- support.solarwinds.com/SuccessCenter/s/article/WHD-12-8-3-Hotfix-1 support.solarwinds.com · CVE Record https://support.solarwinds.com/SuccessCenter/s/article/WHD-12-8-3-Hot...
Exploitation evidence
Why KEV Intelligence marks this CVE as exploited
Third-party attestation and first-party sensor observation are shown separately so teams can judge the evidence chain.
Exploited in the wild
CISA
Independent exploitation attestation added to the KEV Intelligence record.
Proof of concept available
Nuclei Templates
Public scanner or PoC coverage increases practical exploitability.
Known exploited vulnerability sources
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEV Intelligence Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2024-08-15 00:00 UTC |
Detection
Operational artifacts and observed signals
Make the evidence actionable in scanner, SOC, and edge-control workflows.
Observed signals
- Request targets
- 0
- User-Agents
- 0
Raw values available in Pro and Enterprise.
Scanner coverage
Nuclei template detected 01 Jun 2026.
View Nuclei template (opens in new tab)Virtual patch status
No KEV Intelligence virtual patch is currently available. Future rules ship for ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF.
Learn about virtual patches →Scanner Artifacts
Scanner and exploit-framework references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2024/CVE-2024-28986.yaml | 01 Jun 2026 |
| Nessus | https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/205618 | 02 Jun 2025 |
Risk and context
Severity, weaknesses, and research context
CVSS v3.1
9.8
Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS
84.6%
Weaknesses
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
SolarWinds Web Help Desk < 12.8.3 - Insecure Deserialization
nuclei · Created Unknown
Timeline
From disclosure to observed exploitation
-
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
Nessus plugin available
Scanner coverage available
-
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Pro API
Automate this intelligence
Confidence, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
- Evidence confidence and provenance
- First-party sensor telemetry
- PoC and scanner references
- Affected versions and enrichment
- Automation-ready JSON delivery
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2024-28986
Free JSON includes basic KEV fields{
"cve_id": "CVE-2024-28986",
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 9.8,
"cvss_estimated": false,
"epss_score": 0.84628,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "attempts": 0, "sensors": 0 }
}Early warning alerts
Get alerts on high-impact exploitation
Receive curator-selected alerts when exploitation activity warrants attention. Each alert includes the evidence and context needed to decide what requires attention now.