CVE-2021-1578

8.8 HIGH 2% exploit odds Fix listed

What it is

A vulnerability in an API endpoint of Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) and Cisco Cloud Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (Cloud APIC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to elevate privileges to Administrator on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to an improper policy default setting. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using a non-privileged credential for Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator (MSO) to send a specific API request to a managed Cisco APIC or Cloud APIC device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain Administrator credentials on the affected device.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
Exploit odds: 2.0% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2021-08-25 20:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 03:32 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 2.0% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 8.8 HIGH (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2021-08-25 20:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 03:32 UTC
Exploit probability: 2.0% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-636
Record status: Modified

Affected

Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller ≤ 5.1\(3e\)
Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller 5.0\(2h\)
Cisco Cloud Application Policy Infrastructure Controller ≤ 5.1\(3e\)
Cisco Cloud Application Policy Infrastructure Controller 5.0\(2h\)

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 8.8

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Raw vector

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

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-2021-1578.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2021-1578. 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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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record