CVE-2021-1441 MEDIUM

CVE-2021-1441: Cisco IOS XE Software Hardware Initialization Routines Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

Vendor Cisco
Product Cisco IOS XE Software
Weakness CWE-78
Published March 24, 2021
Last update November 8, 2024

CVSS base score

6.7/10
Attack vector Local
Attack complexity Low
Privileges required High
User interaction None
Confidentiality High
Integrity High

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

What the vulnerability does

01Description

A vulnerability in the hardware initialization routines of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco 1100 Series Industrial Integrated Services Routers and Cisco ESR6300 Embedded Series Routers could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute unsigned code at system boot time. This vulnerability is due to incorrect validations of parameters passed to a diagnostic script that is executed when the device boots up. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by tampering with an executable file stored on a device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute unsigned code at boot time and bypass the software image verification check part of the secure boot process of an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need administrative level credentials (level 15) on the device.

Key dates

02Disclosure timeline

March 24, 2021 CVE published
November 8, 2024 Record updated