CVE-2021-1579: cisco application_policy_infrastructure_controller Execution with Unnecessary Privileges
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2021-1579 is a high (CVSS 9.0) Execution with Unnecessary Privileges vulnerability in cisco application_policy_infrastructure_controller. EPSS estimates a 2.13% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 81.6% of scored vulnerabilities.
Timeline
- 25-08-2021PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 07-11-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
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 with Administrator read-only credentials to elevate privileges on an affected system. This vulnerability is due to an insufficient role-based access control (RBAC). An attacker with Administrator read-only credentials could exploit this vulnerability by sending a specific API request using an app with admin write credentials. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges to Administrator with write privileges on the affected device.
CVSS metrics
3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions- NVDNIST8.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HDiffers
EPSS trend
Probability
2.13%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
82%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
0.00 pp
From 2.13% on 20-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root cause- CWE-250Execution with Unnecessary PrivilegesThe product performs an operation at a privilege level that is higher than the minimum level required, which creates new weaknesses or amplifies the consequences of other weaknesses.
- CWE-269Improper Privilege ManagementThe product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
Affected systems
Cisco3 products
- application_policy_infrastructure_controller< 3.2\(10f\) | ≥ 4.0, < 4.2\(7l\) | ≥ 5.0, < 5.2\(2f\)
- cisco application policy infrastructure controller (apic)n/a
- cloud_application_policy_infrastructure_controller< 3.2\(10f\) | ≥ 4.0, < 4.2\(7l\) | ≥ 5.0, < 5.2\(2f\)
1 vendor · 3 products
References
1 links- tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-capic-chvul-CKfGYBh8Vendor AdvisoryX Refsource CISCOPatch