How severe is CVE-2021-22159?

CVE-2021-22159 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-22159 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (25th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-22159?

CVE-2021-22159 affects Proofpoint Insider Threat Management. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-22159?

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-2021-22159 published?

CVE-2021-22159 was published on 2021-01-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-22159

CVE-2021-22159 is a high-severity vulnerability in Proofpoint Insider Threat Management with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-306.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (25th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-306
Affected product: Proofpoint Insider Threat Management
Published: 2021-01-26
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Insider Threat Management Windows Agent Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability The Proofpoint Insider Threat Management (formerly ObserveIT) Agent for Windows before 7.4.3, 7.5.4, 7.6.5, 7.7.5, 7.8.4, 7.9.3, 7.10.2, and 7.11.0.25 as well as versions 7.3 and earlier is missing authentication for a critical function, which allows a local authenticated Windows user to run arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Windows SYSTEM user. Agents for MacOS, Linux, and ITM Cloud are not affected.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-22159?: Insider Threat Management Windows Agent Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability The Proofpoint Insider Threat Management (formerly ObserveIT) Agent for Windows before 7.4.3, 7.5.4, 7.6.5, 7.7.5, 7.8.4, 7.9.3, 7.10.2, and 7.11.0.25 as well as versions 7.3 and earlier is missing authentication for a critical function, which allows a local authenticated Windows user to run arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Windows SYSTEM user. Agents for MacOS, Linux, and ITM Cloud are not affected.
How severe is CVE-2021-22159?: CVE-2021-22159 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-22159 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (25th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-22159?: CVE-2021-22159 affects Proofpoint Insider Threat Management. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-22159?: 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-2021-22159 published?: CVE-2021-22159 was published on 2021-01-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:proofpoint:insider_threat_management:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Proofpoint Insider Threat Management

CVE-2020-8884 — High (CVSS 8.8): rcdsvc in the Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Windows Agent (formerly ObserveIT Windows Agent) before 7.9 allows…
CVE-2021-27900 — High (CVSS 8.1): The Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server (formerly ObserveIT Server) is missing an authorization check on…
CVE-2022-25294 — High (CVSS 7.8): Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Agent for Windows relies on an inherently dangerous function that could enable an…
CVE-2023-4801 — High (CVSS 7.5): An improper certification validation vulnerability in the Insider Threat Management (ITM) Agent for MacOS could be used…
CVE-2021-27899 — High (CVSS 7.4): The Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Agents (formerly ObserveIT Agent) for MacOS and Linux perform improper…
CVE-2021-22158 — High (CVSS 7.2): The Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server (formerly ObserveIT Server) is vulnerable to XML external entity (XXE)…

All CVEs affecting Proofpoint Insider Threat Management →

Other CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-54309 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Prior to 2.25.7 and 2.26.2, when @n8n/mcp-browser is run in HTTP…
CVE-2026-50242 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): In JetBrains Hub before 2026.1.13757, 2025.3.148033, 2025.2.148048, 2025.1.148120, 2024.3.148430, 2024.2.148429…
CVE-2026-49257 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): mcp-pinot is a Python-based Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for interacting with Apache Pinot. In versions 3.0.1…
CVE-2026-46846 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Portal product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Security Framework).…
CVE-2026-46803 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Portal product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Security Framework).…
CVE-2026-46800 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Sites product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: WebCenter Sites).…

Browse all CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) vulnerabilities →