How severe is CVE-2021-1578?

CVE-2021-1578 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-1578 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-1578?

CVE-2021-1578 primarily affects Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-1578?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-1578 published?

CVE-2021-1578 was published on 2021-08-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-1578

CVE-2021-1578 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-755.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 9.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (78th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-755
Affected product: Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller
Published: 2021-08-25
Last modified: 2026-06-17

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-1578?: 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.
How severe is CVE-2021-1578?: CVE-2021-1578 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-1578 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-1578?: CVE-2021-1578 primarily affects Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-1578?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-1578 published?: CVE-2021-1578 was published on 2021-08-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

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

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:cisco:application_policy_infrastructure_controller:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:application_policy_infrastructure_controller:5.0\(2h\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:cloud_application_policy_infrastructure_controller:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:cloud_application_policy_infrastructure_controller:5.0\(2h\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller

CVE-2021-1388 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability in an API endpoint of Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator (MSO) installed on the Application Services…
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CVE-2023-20011 — High (CVSS 8.8): A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) and…
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