How severe is CVE-2021-21502?

CVE-2021-21502 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-21502 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-21502?

CVE-2021-21502 primarily affects Dell Emc Powerscale Onefs. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-21502?

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

When was CVE-2021-21502 published?

CVE-2021-21502 was published on 2021-02-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-21502

CVE-2021-21502 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Dell Emc Powerscale Onefs with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (71st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Dell Emc Powerscale Onefs
Published: 2021-02-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.1.0 – 9.1.0 contain a "use of SSH key past account expiration" vulnerability. A user on the network with the ISI_PRIV_AUTH_SSH RBAC privilege that has an expired account may potentially exploit this vulnerability, giving them access to the same things they had before account expiration. This may by a high privileged account and hence Dell recommends customers upgrade at the earliest opportunity.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-21502?: Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.1.0 – 9.1.0 contain a "use of SSH key past account expiration" vulnerability. A user on the network with the ISI_PRIV_AUTH_SSH RBAC privilege that has an expired account may potentially exploit this vulnerability, giving them access to the same things they had before account expiration. This may by a high privileged account and hence Dell recommends customers upgrade at the earliest opportunity.
How severe is CVE-2021-21502?: CVE-2021-21502 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-21502 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-21502?: CVE-2021-21502 primarily affects Dell Emc Powerscale Onefs. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-21502?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-21502 published?: CVE-2021-21502 was published on 2021-02-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000182873/dsa-2021-009-dell-powerscale-onefs-security-update-for-multiple-vulnerabilities

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:o:dell:emc_powerscale_onefs:8.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:dell:emc_powerscale_onefs:8.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:dell:emc_powerscale_onefs:8.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:dell:emc_powerscale_onefs:8.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:dell:emc_powerscale_onefs:8.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:dell:emc_powerscale_onefs:8.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:dell:emc_powerscale_onefs:9.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:dell:emc_powerscale_onefs:9.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Dell Emc Powerscale Onefs

CVE-2022-26851 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): Dell PowerScale OneFS, 8.2.2-9.3.x, contains a predictable file name from observable state vulnerability. An…
CVE-2020-5353 — High (CVSS 8.8): The Dell Isilon OneFS versions 8.2.2 and earlier and Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS version 9.0.0 default configuration for…
CVE-2021-21506 — High (CVSS 8.8): PowerScale OneFS 8.1.2,8.2.2 and 9.1.0 contains an improper input sanitization issue in its API handler. An…
CVE-2020-5369 — High (CVSS 8.8): Dell EMC Isilon OneFS versions 8.2.2 and earlier and Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS version 9.0.0 contain a privilege…
CVE-2023-22575 — High (CVSS 8.7): Dell PowerScale OneFS 9.0.0.x - 9.4.0.x contain an insertion of sensitive information into log file vulnerability in…
CVE-2021-21594 — High (CVSS 8.2): Dell PowerScale OneFS versions 8.2.2 - 9.1.0.x contain a use of get request method with sensitive query strings…

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