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Vulnerability record · CVE-2021-1579 · published 25 August 2021

CVE-2021-1579: Cisco application policy infrastructure controller execution with unnecessary privileges 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 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.

8.8 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 2.1% · top 18.8% CWE-250 · Execution with unnecessary privilegesCWE-269 · Improper privilege management
8.8CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 9.0
2.1%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 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: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-chvul-CKfGYBh8 PatchVendor Advisory
https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-capic-chvul-CKfGYBh8 PatchVendor 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-2021-1579), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.