# CVE-2021-1361: Cisco NX-OS Software Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Actions Vulnerability

> Unauthenticated remote attackers can create, delete, or overwrite arbitrary files with root privileges on Cisco Nexus switches via TCP port 9075.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 24 Feb 2021
- **Updated:** 8 Nov 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9cw6-xmv9-q69p

## What is CVE-2021-1361?

CVE-2021-1361 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in Cisco Nx-Os, published on 24 Feb 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A vulnerability in the implementation of an internal file management service for Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode that are running Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to create, delete, or overwrite arbitrary files with root privileges on the device. This vulnerability exists because TCP port 9075 is incorrectly configured to listen and respond to external connection requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted TCP packets to an IP address that is configured on a local interface on TCP port 9075. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to create, delete, or overwrite arbitrary files, including sensitive files that are related to the device configuration. For example, the attacker could add a user account without the device administrator knowing.

Weakness: CWE-552 (Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-1361?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Cisco Nx-Os.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-1361?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-1361 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-1361 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-1361 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Nx-Os

- [CVE-2024-20399](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-20399/): Cisco NX-OS Command Injection (medium 6.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2018-0301](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-0301/): Memory corruption in Cisco NX-OS unknown (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-1453](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-1453/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-1341](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-1341/): Hardcoded credentials in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-20650](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-20650/): Cisco NX-OS Software NX-API Command Injection Vulnerability (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-1361 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-1361 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in Cisco Nx-Os, published on 24 Feb 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-1361 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Cisco Nx-Os. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1361/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1361/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-1361
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-1361
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-1361

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1361/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.