Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-21315 affects the Node.js systeminformation package before 5.3.1. Certain inputs can cause command injection, allowing an attacker with a local attack path to alter command behavior. CISA KEV listing makes this operationally urgent where the package is present.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for internet-facing, administrative, or automation-heavy Node.js systems using this package. KEV status raises urgency because exploitation is confirmed, but the available sources do not show broad impact details.
Technical view
The vulnerability is CWE-78 command injection in systeminformation before 5.3.1. The advisory names affected calls including si.inetLatency(), si.inetChecksite(), si.services(), and si.processLoad() when unsafe service parameters are passed, especially arrays. The fix is version 5.3.1.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely in Node.js applications or tooling that directly or transitively use systeminformation below 5.3.1. Risk is highest where untrusted or loosely validated data reaches the named systeminformation functions.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV indicates this CVE is known exploited. The provided bundle does not describe exploit mechanics, victim patterns, or current campaign details, so exploitation should be treated as confirmed but not further characterized.
Researcher notes
CVSS 3.1 is 7.1 with AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N. The source bundle supports affected versions below 5.3.1 and a 5.3.1 fix. Do not assume remote reachability without application-specific input flow evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade systeminformation to version 5.3.1 or later.
- Check dependency lockfiles for transitive vulnerable versions.
- Validate parameters passed to affected systeminformation functions.
- Reject array inputs where only strings are expected.
- Sanitize string inputs before passing them to affected calls.
- Review vendor advisories for dependent products.
Validation and detection
- Inventory npm dependencies for systeminformation versions below 5.3.1.
- Trace application inputs reaching si.inetLatency(), si.inetChecksite(), si.services(), or si.processLoad().
- Confirm lockfiles resolve systeminformation to 5.3.1 or later.
- Check SCA results against CVE-2021-21315 and GHSA-2m8v-572m-ff2v.
- Verify no local patches bypass input validation around affected calls.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-21315 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N2.54Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.1HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.npmjs.com/package/systeminformationCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/sebhildebrandt/systeminformation/security/advisories/GHSA-2m8v-572m-ff2vCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/sebhildebrandt/systeminformation/commit/07daa05fb06f24f96297abaa30c2ace8bfd8b525CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- [cordova-issues] 20210224 [GitHub] [cordova-cli] iva2k opened a new issue #549: update systeminformation package to >=5.3.1CVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210312-0007/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-21315CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.