Stored-secret decryption via shared hardcoded key
Published Jul 27, 2026 · Updated Jul 27, 2026
Hardcoded-key use in Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance 11.0.273 allows attackers with database access to decrypt stored secrets. The appliance encrypts secrets in its MySQL databases with a fixed symmetric key shared across installations instead of generating a unique key for each appliance. Access to the MySQL server or a database backup is required; recovered secrets can enable privilege escalation in KACE or privileged access to other systems and services.
Summary
What happened
Hardcoded-key use in Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance 11.0.273 allows attackers with database access to decrypt stored secrets. The appliance encrypts secrets in its MySQL databases with a fixed symmetric key shared across installations instead of generating a unique key for each appliance. Access to the MySQL server or a database backup is required; recovered secrets can enable privilege escalation in KACE or privileged access to other systems and services.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-32086
- Published
- Jul 27, 2026
- Updated
- Jul 27, 2026
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-321, T1555
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 27, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 27, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
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Attacks
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Technologies
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