CVE-2021-25320: A Improper Access Control vulnerability in Rancher, allows users in the cluster to make request to cloud provi

This month

CRITICAL 9.9UPGRADE

CVE-2021-25320 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.9) affecting rancher. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A Improper Access Control vulnerability in Rancher, allows users in the cluster to make request to cloud providers by creating requests with the cloud-credential ID. Rancher in this case would attach the requested credentials without further checks This issue affects: Rancher versions prior to 2.5.9; Rancher versions prior to 2.4.16.

Why this priority

Critical severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.9 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 42%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-284
Published	2021-07-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): SUSE · Vendor: rancher

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-07-15 09:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rancher rancher UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.4.16 · >= 2.5.0 and < 2.5.9

Fixed in: 2.4.16, 2.5.9

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.5.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy rancher || rpm -q rancher || rancher --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.4.16 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade rancher

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rancher

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison rancher sudo apt install rancher=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5.0> sudo apt-mark hold rancher

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list rancher sudo dnf downgrade rancher-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5.0> sudo dnf versionlock add rancher

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-25320?

rancher: upgrade to 2.4.16, 2.5.9. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-25320 being exploited?

CVE-2021-25320 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-25320 affect?

CVE-2021-25320 affects rancher. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.9). A Improper Access Control vulnerability in Rancher, allows users in the cluster to make request to cloud providers by creating requests with the cloud-credential ID. Rancher in this case would attach the requested credentials without furthe

How urgent is CVE-2021-25320?

Priority 49/100. Critical severity

Software pages

Rancher vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-41053 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE Incorrect authentication caching in the team member ship expansion of the Rancher Github authentication provid
CVE-2026-41052 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE Improper privilege handling could be used by users with Project Owner role to escalate privileges, in Rancher
CVE-2023-22648 HIGH 8.0 UPGRADE A Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in SUSE Rancher causes permission changes in Azure AD not to be
CVE-2023-22647 CRITICAL 9.9 UPGRADE An Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in SUSE Rancher allowed standard users to leverage their existi
CVE-2022-43760 HIGH 8.4 UPGRADE An Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in SUSE

References

← Back to latest CVEs