How severe is CVE-2021-20740?

CVE-2021-20740 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-2021-20740 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-20740?

CVE-2021-20740 primarily affects Hitachi Virtual File Platform. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-20740?

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-2021-20740 published?

CVE-2021-20740 was published on 2021-06-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-20740

CVE-2021-20740 is a high-severity vulnerability in Hitachi Virtual File Platform 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-78.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 9.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (86th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Hitachi Virtual File Platform
Published: 2021-06-28
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Hitachi Virtual File Platform Versions prior to 5.5.3-09 and Versions prior to 6.4.3-09, and NEC Storage M Series NAS Gateway Nh4a/Nh8a versions prior to FOS 5.5.3-08(NEC2.5.4a) and Nh4b/Nh8b, Nh4c/Nh8c versions prior to FOS 6.4.3-08(NEC3.4.2) allow remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands with root privileges via unspecified vectors.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-20740?: Hitachi Virtual File Platform Versions prior to 5.5.3-09 and Versions prior to 6.4.3-09, and NEC Storage M Series NAS Gateway Nh4a/Nh8a versions prior to FOS 5.5.3-08(NEC2.5.4a) and Nh4b/Nh8b, Nh4c/Nh8c versions prior to FOS 6.4.3-08(NEC3.4.2) allow remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands with root privileges via unspecified vectors.
How severe is CVE-2021-20740?: CVE-2021-20740 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-2021-20740 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-20740?: CVE-2021-20740 primarily affects Hitachi Virtual File Platform. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-20740?: 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-2021-20740 published?: CVE-2021-20740 was published on 2021-06-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:a:hitachi:virtual_file_platform:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:nec:nas_gateway_nh4a_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:nec:nas_gateway_nh8a_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:nec:nas_gateway_nh4b_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:nec:nas_gateway_nh8b_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:nec:nas_gateway_nh4c_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:nec:nas_gateway_nh8c_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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