How severe is CVE-2021-23278?

CVE-2021-23278 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.7, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-23278 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (59th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-23278?

CVE-2021-23278 primarily affects Eaton Intelligent Power Manager. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-23278?

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-2021-23278 published?

CVE-2021-23278 was published on 2021-04-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-23278

CVE-2021-23278 is a high-severity vulnerability in Eaton Intelligent Power Manager with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.7. 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-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.7)
CVSS v2: 5.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (59th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Eaton Intelligent Power Manager
Published: 2021-04-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Eaton Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) prior to 1.69 is vulnerable to authenticated arbitrary file delete vulnerability induced due to improper input validation at server/maps_srv.js with action removeBackground and server/node_upgrade_srv.js with action removeFirmware. An attacker can send specially crafted packets to delete the files on the system where IPM software is installed.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-23278?: Eaton Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) prior to 1.69 is vulnerable to authenticated arbitrary file delete vulnerability induced due to improper input validation at server/maps_srv.js with action removeBackground and server/node_upgrade_srv.js with action removeFirmware. An attacker can send specially crafted packets to delete the files on the system where IPM software is installed.
How severe is CVE-2021-23278?: CVE-2021-23278 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.7, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-23278 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (59th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-23278?: CVE-2021-23278 primarily affects Eaton Intelligent Power Manager. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-23278?: 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-2021-23278 published?: CVE-2021-23278 was published on 2021-04-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/eaton/company/news-insights/cybersecurity/security-bulletins/eaton-intelligent-power-manager-ipm-vulnerability-advisory.pdf

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:eaton:intelligent_power_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eaton:intelligent_power_manager_virtual_appliance:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eaton:intelligent_power_protector:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Eaton Intelligent Power Manager

CVE-2021-23281 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Eaton Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) prior to 1.69 is vulnerable to unauthenticated remote code execution…
CVE-2018-12031 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Local file inclusion in Eaton Intelligent Power Manager v1.6 allows an attacker to include a file via…
CVE-2020-6651 — High (CVSS 8.8): Improper Input Validation in Eaton's Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) v 1.67 & prior on file name during configuration…
CVE-2021-23277 — High (CVSS 8.3): Eaton Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) prior to 1.69 is vulnerable to unauthenticated eval injection vulnerability. The…
CVE-2021-23280 — High (CVSS 8.0): Eaton Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) prior to 1.69 is vulnerable to authenticated arbitrary file upload vulnerability.…
CVE-2021-23279 — High (CVSS 8.0): Eaton Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) prior to 1.69 is vulnerable to unauthenticated arbitrary file delete…

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