CVE-2021-31474

Name: CVE-2021-31474
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-05-21T15:15:07.833+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 94.43%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-31474 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor 2020.2.1. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. EPSS estimates a 94.43% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor 2020.2.1. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the SolarWinds.Serialization library. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in deserialization of untrusted data. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-12213.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

94.43%

99.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-502

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Solarwinds	Network Performance Monitor	>= 2020.2.1, < 2020.2.5

References

https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/sam/content/release_notes/sam_2020-2-5_release_notes.htmRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-602/Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/sam/content/release_notes/sam_2020-2-5_release_notes.htmRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-602/Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry

Timeline

Published: May 21, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-31474?

How severe is CVE-2021-31474?

CVE-2021-31474 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 94.43% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-31474?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-31474?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST