How severe is CVE-2021-20179?

CVE-2021-20179 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, 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 none.

Is CVE-2021-20179 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-20179?

CVE-2021-20179 primarily affects Redhat Certificate System. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-20179?

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-2021-20179 published?

CVE-2021-20179 was published on 2021-03-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-20179

CVE-2021-20179 is a high-severity vulnerability in Redhat Certificate System with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. 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-863.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
CVSS v2: 5.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (65th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-863
Affected product: Redhat Certificate System
Published: 2021-03-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A flaw was found in pki-core. An attacker who has successfully compromised a key could use this flaw to renew the corresponding certificate over and over again, as long as it is not explicitly revoked. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-20179?: A flaw was found in pki-core. An attacker who has successfully compromised a key could use this flaw to renew the corresponding certificate over and over again, as long as it is not explicitly revoked. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity.
How severe is CVE-2021-20179?: CVE-2021-20179 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, 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 none.
Is CVE-2021-20179 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-20179?: CVE-2021-20179 primarily affects Redhat Certificate System. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-20179?: 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-2021-20179 published?: CVE-2021-20179 was published on 2021-03-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:a:dogtagpki:dogtagpki:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:redhat:certificate_system:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Redhat Certificate System

CVE-2013-1886 — High (CVSS 7.5): Format string vulnerability in the token processing system (pki-tps) in Red Hat Certificate System (RHCS) 8.1 and…
CVE-2009-0588 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): agent/request/op.cgi in the Registration Authority (RA) component in Red Hat Certificate System (RHCS) 7.3 and Dogtag…
CVE-2008-5082 — Medium (CVSS 6.0): The verifyProof function in the Token Processing System (TPS) component in Red Hat Certificate System (RHCS) 7.1…
CVE-2010-3868 — Medium (CVSS 5.8): Red Hat Certificate System (RHCS) 7.3 and 8 and Dogtag Certificate System do not require authentication for requests to…
CVE-2022-2393 — Medium (CVSS 5.7): A flaw was found in pki-core, which could allow a user to get a certificate for another user identity when…
CVE-2012-3367 — Medium (CVSS 5.5): Red Hat Certificate System (RHCS) before 8.1.1 and Dogtag Certificate System does not properly check certificate…

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