CVE-2021-1451 Cisco IOS XE Software Easy Virtual Switching System Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code with root privileges on Cisco Catalyst switches by sending crafted Easy VSS packets, requiring the feature to be enabled.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2021-1451?
CVE-2021-1451 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Cisco Ios Xe, published on 24 Mar 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A vulnerability in the Easy Virtual Switching System (VSS) feature of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Switches and Cisco Catalyst 4500-X Series Switches could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the underlying Linux operating system of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to incorrect boundary checks of certain values in Easy VSS protocol packets that are destined for an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted Easy VSS protocol packets to UDP port 5500 while the affected device is in a specific state. When the crafted packet is processed, a buffer overflow condition may occur. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition or execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the underlying Linux operating system of the affected device.
Weakness: CWE-119
Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-1451?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Cisco Ios Xe.
How do I fix CVE-2021-1451?
No fix has been published for CVE-2021-1451 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2021-1451 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-1451 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Ios Xe
- CVE-2023-20198 Cisco IOS XE Web UI Privilege Escalation
- CVE-2018-0151 Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software Quality of Service Remote Code Execution
- CVE-2023-20273 Cisco IOS XE Web UI Command Injection
- CVE-2025-20188 Hardcoded credentials in Cisco IOS XE Software
- CVE-2021-34770 Cisco IOS XE Software for Catalyst 9000 Family Wireless Controllers CAPWAP Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Sources
Also known as GHSA-h8m7-5ghv-9r78.