CVE-2021-27878

8.8 HIGH 24% exploit odds exploited in the wild Fix listed Other

What it is

An issue was discovered in Veritas Backup Exec before 21.2. The communication between a client and an Agent requires successful authentication, which is typically completed over a secure TLS communication. However, due to a vulnerability in the SHA Authentication scheme, an attacker is able to gain unauthorized access and complete the authentication process. Subsequently, the client can execute data management protocol commands on the authenticated connection. The attacker could use one of these commands to execute an arbitrary command on the system using system privileges.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
In the wild: CISA lists this as exploited in real attacks. Treat as urgent.
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2021-03-01 00:00 UTC ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
2021-03-01 22:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2023-04-07 Exploited in the wildAdded to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2023-04-28 Remediation deadlineCISA's due date for federal agencies to fix it
2026-06-17 03:45 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: yes, CISA lists it. This puts it above everything that is not.
Exploit odds: 24.0% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 8.8 HIGH (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2021-03-01 22:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 03:45 UTC
Added to CISA KEV: 2023-04-07
Exploit probability: 24.0% · EPSS, next 30 days
Record status: Analyzed

Affected

Veritas Backup Exec < 21.2

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?

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Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2021-27878.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2021-27878. 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