How severe is CVE-2021-27258?

CVE-2021-27258 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-2021-27258 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-27258?

CVE-2021-27258 affects Solarwinds Orion Platform. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-27258?

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-2021-27258 published?

CVE-2021-27258 was published on 2021-04-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-27258

CVE-2021-27258 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Solarwinds Orion Platform 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-284.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (89th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-284
Affected product: Solarwinds Orion Platform
Published: 2021-04-14
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute escalate privileges on affected installations of SolarWinds Orion Platform 2020.2. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the SaveUserSetting endpoint. The issue results from improper restriction of this endpoint to unprivileged users. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges their privileges from Guest to Administrator. Was ZDI-CAN-11903.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-27258?: This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute escalate privileges on affected installations of SolarWinds Orion Platform 2020.2. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the SaveUserSetting endpoint. The issue results from improper restriction of this endpoint to unprivileged users. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges their privileges from Guest to Administrator. Was ZDI-CAN-11903.
How severe is CVE-2021-27258?: CVE-2021-27258 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-2021-27258 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-27258?: CVE-2021-27258 affects Solarwinds Orion Platform. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-27258?: 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-2021-27258 published?: CVE-2021-27258 was published on 2021-04-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-192/

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:solarwinds:orion_platform:2020.2:-:*:*:*:*:*:*

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