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Vulnerability record · CVE-2021-1578 · published 25 August 2021

CVE-2021-1578: Cisco application policy infrastructure controller vulnerability

Cisco · Application Policy Infrastructure Controller

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.

8.8 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 2.0% · top 20.4% CWE-636 · CWE-636CWE-755 · CWE-755
8.8CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 9.0
2.0%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
2Affected product versions listed by NVD
2References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

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 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.

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

Affected products

2 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-capic-pesc-pkmGK4J Vendor Advisory
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-capic-pesc-pkmGK4J Vendor Advisory

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Related vulnerabilities

Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2021-1578), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-27). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.