# CVE-2021-1497: Cisco HyperFlex HX Installer Virtual Machine Command Injection

> Unauthenticated remote attackers can execute arbitrary commands on Cisco HyperFlex HX devices via the web management interface.

- **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:** Yes, since 3 Nov 2021 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 6 May 2021
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-2hv5-x25m-j674

## What is CVE-2021-1497?

CVE-2021-1497 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform, published on 6 May 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco HyperFlex HX could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to perform command injection attacks against an affected device. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-1497?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Cisco Hyperflex Hx Data Platform.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-1497?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-1497 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 17 Nov 2021.

## Is CVE-2021-1497 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-1497 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021.

Public exploit code:

- cve-2019-11510, cve-2019-19781, cve-2020-5902,                cve-2021-1497, cve-2021-20090,  cve-2021-22006, cve-2021-22205, cve-2021-26084, cve-2021-26855, cve-2021-26857, cve-2021–26857, cve-2021–26858, cve-2021–26865 (github_poc): https://github.com/34zY/APT-Backpack
- Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform Command Execution (metasploit)
- Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform - Remote Command Execution (nuclei): http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-1497.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform

- [CVE-2021-1498](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1498/): Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform Command Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2018-15380](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-15380/): Cisco HyperFlex Software Command Injection Vulnerability (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2018-15382](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-15382/): Cisco HyperFlex Software Static Signing Key Vulnerability (high 8.6)
- [CVE-2019-1664](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-1664/): Cisco HyperFlex Software Unauthenticated Root Access Vulnerability (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2017-12315](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12315/): Information disclosure in Cisco HyperFlex System (medium 6.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-1497 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-1497 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform, published on 6 May 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-1497 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021.

Affected product: Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform. 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-2021-1497/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1497/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-1497
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-1497
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-1497

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-1497/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.