CVE-2021-1280

SYSTEM code execution via DLL search-path hijacking

Published Jan 20, 2021 · Updated Nov 12, 2024

DLL hijacking in Cisco Secure Endpoint for Windows before 7.3.3 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. Its runtime DLL loader handles directory search paths incorrectly and loads an attacker-placed library when the application starts. Exploitation requires valid Windows credentials and local ability to place the DLL; successful execution grants complete SYSTEM-level control.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.44%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

DLL hijacking in Cisco Secure Endpoint for Windows before 7.3.3 allows local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. Its runtime DLL loader handles directory search paths incorrectly and loads an attacker-placed library when the application starts. Exploitation requires valid Windows credentials and local ability to place the DLL; successful execution grants complete SYSTEM-level control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-1280
Published
Jan 20, 2021
Updated
Nov 12, 2024
Vendor
ClamAV
Product
Cisco Secure Endpoint
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 20, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 12, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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  1. Affected versionversion=n/a

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

ClamAV · Cisco Secure Endpointversion=n/a

Published CVSS scores

7.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.9NIST NVDAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8Cisco Systems, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574.002DLL Side-Loading

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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