Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Dell VNX2 for file systems at version 8.1.21.266 or earlier have a flaw that can let an unauthenticated remote attacker run commands on the system. This affects storage infrastructure, so compromise could disrupt availability, expose data, or alter system behavior.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority infrastructure remediation item. The issue is unauthenticated and network reachable, but available sources do not show confirmed active exploitation. Prioritize any exposed or business-critical VNX2 file systems first.
Technical view
CVE-2021-36287 is a CWE-78 command injection issue in Dell VNX2 for file. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.3 with network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction. Reported impact is low confidentiality, integrity, and availability loss.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to organizations running Dell VNX2 for file version 8.1.21.266 or earlier. Risk is higher where affected services are reachable across internal networks or from less-trusted network zones.
Exploitation context
The CVE record supports unauthenticated network remote code execution. The source bundle does not include public exploit evidence, and the CVE is not listed as CISA KEV. Do not assume active exploitation from the provided evidence.
Researcher notes
The affected version boundary is clear, but the source bundle does not provide endpoint details, exploit mechanics, or full remediation text. Validation should remain inventory-based and vendor-advisory-driven, avoiding assumptions beyond Dell VNX2 for file 8.1.21.266 and earlier.
Mitigation direction
- Review Dell advisory DSA-2021-164 for the applicable security update.
- Upgrade affected VNX2 for file systems according to Dell guidance.
- Restrict access to VNX2 control or management interfaces to trusted networks.
- Monitor vendor guidance for any revised remediation or compensating controls.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Dell VNX2 for file deployments and record installed versions.
- Flag systems running version 8.1.21.266 or earlier as affected.
- Confirm the Dell DSA-2021-164 security update is applied where applicable.
- Review access logs for unusual unauthenticated activity against affected systems.
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-2021-36287 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
- 7.3 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
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.
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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L3.93.4Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.3HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000191155/dsa-2021-164-dell-vnx2-control-station-security-update-for-multiple-vulnerabilitiesCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
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.