# What is CVE-2024-28987?

> CVE-2024-28987 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) in Web Help Desk from Solarwinds, published on 21 August 2024. It is on the list of flaws known to be exploited, so criminals are already using it. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 93%. If you run an affected version, patch it first.

Canonical page: https://www.edgeprotect.io/what-is/cve-2024-28987

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Fix this now. Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list.
- **EdgeProtect risk score:** 90 out of 100 (Critical); action: Emergency patch. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** Critical (CVSS 9.1 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** Yes, it is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 93% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 21 August 2024
- **Record last updated:** 27 October 2025
- **Main product:** Web Help Desk from Solarwinds
- **Affected products:** 1

## What is CVE-2024-28987? In plain terms

It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data and change data.

### The official description

The SolarWinds Web Help Desk (WHD) software is affected by a hardcoded credential vulnerability, allowing remote unauthenticated user to access internal functionality and modify data.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- CWE-798: Use of Hard-coded Credentials

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions
- Login needed first: No login needed
- Does someone have to click: No, nobody has to do anything
- What an attacker gets: Can read data and change data

Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N`

## Is CVE-2024-28987 being exploited? Yes

Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 93%.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 93%, 93%, 93%, 93%, 93%, 93%, 93%.

### Timeline

- 21 August 2024: Published
- 27 October 2025: Record last updated

### How EdgeProtect ranks it

CVE-2024-28987 scores **90 out of 100 (Critical)**, with the action "Emergency patch".

Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less:

- Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor
- How severe it is: strong factor
- How widely exposed it is: key context
- Real threat activity around it: key context

85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.

## Who is affected by CVE-2024-28987?

The published record lists 1 product. Versions are as published: "before 12.8.3" means every version up to, but not including, 12.8.3.

- [Web Help Desk](https://www.edgeprotect.io/product/solarwinds/web_help_desk) by [Solarwinds](https://www.edgeprotect.io/vendors/solarwinds) (Application): before 12.8.3, 12.8.3, 12.8.3-hotfix1

## How do I fix CVE-2024-28987?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? EdgeProtect can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list.
2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisory first in the list.
3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
4. **Check it wasn’t used before you patched.** Because criminals are already using this flaw, look for signs of a break-in on affected systems using the vendor’s guidance.

### References

- [solarwinds.com](https://www.solarwinds.com/trust-center/security-advisories/cve-2024-28987) (Vendor advisory)
- [support.solarwinds.com](https://support.solarwinds.com/SuccessCenter/s/article/SolarWinds-Web-Help-Desk-12-8-3-Hotfix-2) (Release notes)
- [theregister.com](https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/22/hardcoded_credentials_bug_solarwinds_whd/) (Press/media coverage, Third-party advisory)
- [cisa.gov](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-28987) (Government resource)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2024-28987?

CVE-2024-28987 is a critical-severity flaw in Web Help Desk from Solarwinds, published on 21 August 2024. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data and change data.

### How serious is CVE-2024-28987?

It scores 9.1 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is critical. Our risk score for CVE-2024-28987 is 90 out of 100, which is Critical. Its action is "Emergency patch". Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list.

### Is CVE-2024-28987 being exploited?

Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 93%.

### Which versions does CVE-2024-28987 affect?

For Web Help Desk from Solarwinds: before 12.8.3, 12.8.3, 12.8.3-hotfix1.

### How do I fix CVE-2024-28987?

Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet. Because criminals are already using it, also check affected systems for signs of a break-in.

## Does CVE-2024-28987 affect you?

EdgeProtect keeps checking for you:

- **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it.
- **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools.

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