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CVE Record

CVE-2021-2286: Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization (component: Core).

Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization (component: Core). The supported version that is affected is Prior to 6.1.20. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with logon to the infrastructure where Oracle VM VirtualBox executes to compromise Oracle VM VirtualBox. While the vulnerability is in Oracle VM VirtualBox, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all Oracle VM VirtualBox accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 7.1 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N).

HighCVSS 7.1Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-2286 is a high-severity integrity issue in Oracle VM VirtualBox Core before 6.1.20. A local attacker who can access the infrastructure running VirtualBox may alter critical data visible to VirtualBox. The bundle does not show confidentiality loss, service disruption, or confirmed active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority integrity risk for shared or multi-user VirtualBox environments. It is less urgent for isolated single-user systems, but unsupported pre-6.1.20 installs should be remediated promptly.

Technical view

Oracle describes an easily exploitable VirtualBox Core flaw affecting supported versions before 6.1.20. CVSS 3.1 is 7.1: AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N. The key impact is unauthorized creation, deletion, or modification of critical data or all VirtualBox-accessible data.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on workstations, build hosts, lab systems, or servers running Oracle VM VirtualBox before 6.1.20 where local or infrastructure logon access exists. Internet-facing exposure is not indicated by the CVSS vector or description.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not indicate CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. Exploitation is local, low complexity, and requires no user interaction, but the attacker must have logon access to the infrastructure where VirtualBox executes.

Researcher notes

The public description is impact-focused and does not identify CWE, root cause, or exploit mechanics. Validation should stay version- and exposure-based. The scope-changed vector suggests impact can cross a VirtualBox security boundary, but the bundle does not detail how.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Oracle VM VirtualBox to 6.1.20 or later.
  • Use vendor-supported fixed packages where VirtualBox is installed through a distribution.
  • Restrict logon access to systems that run VirtualBox.
  • Review Oracle CPU and Gentoo GLSA guidance for environment-specific remediation.
  • Prioritize shared hosts where untrusted users can log on.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems running Oracle VM VirtualBox.
  • Confirm installed VirtualBox versions are 6.1.20 or later.
  • Identify hosts where non-administrative or untrusted users can log on.
  • Check package manager advisories against Gentoo GLSA-202208-36 where applicable.
  • Verify change records show VirtualBox remediation completed.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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

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CVE-2021-2286 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.1 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.1CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N2.54Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.1High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-2286Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Oracle CorporationVM VirtualBoxunspecifiedListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.