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CVE Record

CVE-2021-42321: Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

HighCVSS 8.8Known exploitedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysis

Security readout for executives and security teams

This is a remote code execution flaw in Microsoft Exchange Server. An attacker with low-level privileges could run code on an affected server without user interaction. Because Exchange often handles sensitive mail and authentication flows, compromise can create serious business impact. CISA lists this CVE as known exploited, so treat exposure as urgent. Organizations running on-premises Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 CU21 or CU22, or Exchange Server 2019 CU10 or CU11, should assume potential exposure until patch status is verified. The source bundle does not identify Exchange Online or other products as affected. Prioritize this as an urgent Exchange remediation item. The vulnerability affects business-critical email infrastructure, has high impact, and is listed by CISA as known exploited. Delay increases risk of server compromise and downstream mailbox or domain-impacting activity. Mitigation focus: Apply Microsoft security updates or vendor guidance for CVE-2021-42321.; Prioritize remediation for any internet-accessible affected Exchange servers.; Inventory Exchange Server versions and cumulative update levels..

Prepared

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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description · low confidence lookup

Execution 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.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-42321 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
8.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
Yes
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

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

CISA KEV status

Status
Known exploited
Source
CISA / ADP
Date added
Not provided

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
8.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C2.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-42321Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

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

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
MicrosoftMicrosoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 2115.01.0Listed
MicrosoftMicrosoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 1015.02.0Listed
MicrosoftMicrosoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 2215.0.0Listed
MicrosoftMicrosoft Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 1115.02.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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