CVE Tools
Sign in

CVE-2021-3560

Published: Feb 16, 2022Updated: Nov 6, 2025 Sources: CVE List NVD BDUCWE-863
NVD MITRE
7.8CVSSHIGH
EPSS Score
22.2%
Top 2.6%
CISA KEV
Active Exploitation
Since May 12, 2023
Exploits
3 Known
Remediation
Patch Available

Description

It was found that polkit could be tricked into bypassing the credential checks for D-Bus requests, elevating the privileges of the requestor to the root user. This flaw could be used by an unprivileged local attacker to, for example, create a new local administrator. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:LAC:LPR:LUI:NS:UC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:LAttack Vector
Local
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:LPrivileges Required
Low
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High
Open in CVSS calculator →

Weaknesses

CWE-863CWE-754

Affected Products

polkitpolkit project
Mixed
Operating Systems / linux-distro
debian linuxdebian
On-premOS
Operating Systems / linux-distro
ubuntu linuxcanonical
On-premOS
Operating Systems / linux-distro
virtualizationredhatOperating Systems
virtualization hostredhat
On-premOS
Operating Systems / linux-distro
polkit projectoss-projectOperating Systemsaka polkit, polkit project (ambiguous spelling)
debianoss-projectGBOperating Systemsaka debian gnu/linux
canonicalcommercialGBOperating Systemsaka canonical ltd.
redhatcommercialUSOperating Systemsaka red hat
and 8 more affected products View all →

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

Click technique nodes to view MITRE ATT&CK details. Scroll to zoom, drag to pan.

Exploitability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability
Added to KEV:May 12, 2023
Remediation due:Jun 2, 2023

Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

3 exploit sources identified

Exploit details including PoC links, Metasploit modules, and scanner templates are available after registration.

View exploit details
Official Patch Available

MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques
Initial Access
View detailed technique mapping

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172836/polkit-Authentication-Bypass.html
packetstormsecurity.com
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172846/Facebook-Fizz-Denial-Of-Service.html
packetstormsecurity.com
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1961710
bugzilla.redhat.com
and 9 more references View all →

Timeline

Published
Feb 16, 2022
Added to CISA KEV
May 12, 2023
Last Updated
Nov 6, 2025

Unlock Complete Vulnerability Intelligence

Get the full picture for CVE-2021-3560 and every CVE in our database. Create a free account — no credit card required.

Create Free Account
Plain-language analysis
Impact assessment and exploitation scenario in plain English
Attack graph visualization
Interactive attack path and kill chain mapping
Exploit details & PoC links
ExploitDB, Metasploit, GitHub PoCs with direct links
Nuclei scanner templates
Ready-to-use vulnerability scanner templates
Full remediation guide
Patch instructions, workarounds, and compliance impact
Interactive AI chat
Ask questions about this vulnerability in natural language
Related vulnerabilities
Semantically similar CVEs and attack patterns
REST API & MCP access
Integrate vulnerability data into your workflows