CVE-2021-1449
mediumpriority · track · 27EPSS 0.003 · 20 %ileEURUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
A vulnerability in the boot logic of Cisco Access Points Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute unsigned code at boot time. The vulnerability is due to an improper check that is performed by the area of code that manages system startup processes. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying a specific file that is stored on the system, which would allow the attacker to bypass existing protections. 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. Note: To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have access to the development shell (devshell) on the device.
remediations
Vendor fix, mitigation, or workaround guidance, as published by each source.
A vendor fix is available.
- FixedCisco Aironet Access Point Softwarecisco_csaf
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability.
https://software.cisco.com - FixedCisco Aironet Access Point Software (IOS XE Controller)cisco_csaf
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability.
https://software.cisco.com
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode
ssvc
A stakeholder decision — act, attend, or track — from exploitation and impact.
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
affected products (17)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
- cisco aironet access point softwareall versionsnvdUScpe:2.3:a:cisco:aironet_access_point_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cisco catalyst 9800 firmware17.1 → 17.3.3nvdUScpe:2.3:o:cisco:catalyst_9800_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cisco catalyst 9800 firmware17.4 → 17.5.1nvdUScpe:2.3:o:cisco:catalyst_9800_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cisco wireless lan controller software< 8.5.171.0nvdUScpe:2.3:a:cisco:wireless_lan_controller_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cisco wireless lan controller software8.6 → 8.10.150.0nvdUScpe:2.3:a:cisco:wireless_lan_controller_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
advisories (1)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- cisco-sa-ap-privesc-wEVfp8UdCisco Access Point Software Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability2021-03-24csaf · cisco_csafUS
A vulnerability in the boot logic of Cisco Access Points Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute unsigned code at boot time. The vulnerability is due to an improper check that is performed by the area of code that manages system startup processes. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying a specific file that is stored on the system, which would allow the attacker to bypass existing protections. 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. Note: To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have access to the development shell (devshell) on the device. Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
also known as (4)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (5)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-1449cnnvd
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-privesc-wEVfp8Udcnnvd
- https://vigilance.fr/vulnerability/Cisco-Aironet-multiple-vulnerabilities-34939cnnvd
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-privesc-wEVfp8Udenisa_euvd
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-privesc-wEVfp8UdVendor Advisorynvd
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