# CVE-2021-1497: Cisco HyperFlex HX Installer Virtual Machine Command Injection Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-1497-cisco-hyperflex-hx-installer-virtual-machine-command-injection  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-11-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2021-1497 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-03

A command injection vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco HyperFlex HX allows unauthenticated, remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands as root. The flaw is due to insufficient input validation within the installer virtual machine.

Vendors: [Cisco](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/cisco).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2021-1497 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-1497 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-1497?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 3 November 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform < 4.0(2e), 4.5(1a) to < 4.5(2a); Cisco HyperFlex HX Installer Virtual Machine.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-1497?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2021-1497 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-1497?** Check whether you run Cisco Hyperflex Hx. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform < 4.0(2e), 4.5(1a) to < 4.5(2a)
- Cisco HyperFlex HX Installer Virtual Machine

## Timeline

- 2021-05-06: disclosed: NVD Published Date
- 2021-11-03: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2021-05-05: advisory: Cisco Security Advisory published

## Related threats

- [Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform Command Injection Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-1498-cisco-hyperflex-hx-data-platform-command-injection-vulnerability)