What is CVE-2021-1497?

CVE-2021-1497 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Cisco Hyperflex Hx Data Platform, classified under OS Command Injection. CVSS score: 9.8/10. Published 2021-05-06.

How severe is CVE-2021-1497?

Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.8 out of 10.

Is CVE-2021-1497 known to be exploited?

Yes. CVE-2021-1497 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2021-11-03), indicating it is being actively exploited. 27 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed.

RCE in Cisco Hyperflex Hx Data Platform

CVE-2021-1497

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.

Vulnerability class: Command Injection (OS Command Injection)

Published 2021-05-06 · last modified 2026-06-17.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 9.8 (Critical). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

EPSS exploit prediction

EPSS: 0.999 (100.0th percentile), scored 2026-10-08.

Very high probability of exploitation in the next 30 days — among the top 0.1% most-likely-to-be-exploited CVEs. 100th percentile — 100.0% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.

The 30-day trend appears once there are two daily scores.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

CWE-78 — OS Command Injection

CISA KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities)

This CVE is on the CISA KEV catalog, added on 2021-11-03. CISA KEV inclusion means CISA has confirmed in-the-wild exploitation; US federal agencies are required to remediate within a published due date.

BOD 22-01 due date: 2021-11-17.

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Public proof-of-concept exploits

References

tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-hyperfle… (vendor-advisory, Vendor Advisory)
packetstormsecurity.com/files/162976/Cisco-HyperFlex-HX-Data-Platform-Command-E… (Exploit, VDB Entry, Third Party Advisory)
134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 (US Government Resource)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-1497?: CVE-2021-1497 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Cisco Hyperflex Hx Data Platform, classified under OS Command Injection. CVSS score: 9.8/10. Published 2021-05-06.
How severe is CVE-2021-1497?: Critical severity. CVSS v3 base score is 9.8 out of 10.
Is CVE-2021-1497 known to be exploited?: Yes. CVE-2021-1497 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2021-11-03), indicating it is being actively exploited. 27 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed.