Cisco NX-OS Software Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Actions (CVE-2021-1361)

critical Tenable OT Security Plugin ID 501240

Synopsis

The remote OT asset is affected by a vulnerability.

Description

A vulnerability in the implementation of an internal file management service for Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode that are running Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to create, delete, or overwrite arbitrary files with root privileges on the device. This vulnerability exists because TCP port 9075 is incorrectly configured to listen and respond to external connection requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted TCP packets to an IP address that is configured on a local interface on TCP port 9075. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to create, delete, or overwrite arbitrary files, including sensitive files that are related to the device configuration. For example, the attacker could add a user account without the device administrator knowing.

This plugin only works with Tenable.ot.
Please visit https://www.tenable.com/products/tenable-ot for more information.

Solution

Refer to the vendor advisory.

Plugin Details

Severity: Critical

ID: 501240

Version: 1.2

Type: remote

Family: Tenable.ot

Published: 7/25/2023

Updated: 10/16/2025

Supported Sensors: Tenable OT Security

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 5.2

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 9.4

Temporal Score: 7

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:C/A:C

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2021-1361

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: Critical

Base Score: 9.1

Temporal Score: 7.9

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Temporal Vector: CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/o:cisco:nexus_3000_series_switches, cpe:/o:cisco:nexus_9000_series_switches

Required KB Items: Tenable.ot/Cisco

Exploit Ease: No known exploits are available

Patch Publication Date: 2/24/2021

Vulnerability Publication Date: 2/24/2021

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2021-1361

CWE: 552

Detections

Analytics