---
id: CVE-2021-1449
title: Cisco Aironet Access Points Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
summary: "A vulnerability in the boot logic of Cisco Access Points Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute unsigned code at boot time.\r\n\r\nThe vulnerability is due to an improper check that is performed by the area of code th…"
severity: medium
cvss: 6.7
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cvssSource: vendor
vendor: Cisco
product: Cisco Aironet Access Point Software
affected:
  - aironet_access_point_software
  - aironet_access_point_software_ios_xe_controller
published: '2021-03-24'
updated: '2021-03-24'
sourceUpdated: '2021-03-24T16:00:00+00:00'
source: CSAF
sourceUrl: >-
  https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-privesc-wEVfp8Ud
references:
  - url: >-
      https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-privesc-wEVfp8Ud
  - url: 'https://software.cisco.com'
tags:
  - csaf
  - vendor-advisory
  - cisco
epss: 0.00265
epssPercentile: 0.1636
ingestedAt: '2026-09-08T15:58:18.544Z'
---

## Overview

A vulnerability in the boot logic of Cisco Access Points Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute unsigned code at boot time.

The vulnerability is due to an improper check that is performed by the area of code that manages system startup processes. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying a specific file that is stored on the system, which would allow the attacker to bypass existing protections. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute unsigned code at boot time and bypass the software image verification check part of the secure boot process of an affected device.

Note: To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker would need to have access to the development shell (devshell) on the device.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

## Vendor advisories

- **cisco-sa-ap-privesc-wEVfp8Ud** · Cisco · affected: Cisco Aironet Access Point Software, Cisco Aironet Access Point Software (IOS XE Controller) · updated 2021-03-24 · [advisory](https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-privesc-wEVfp8Ud)

**Cisco Access Point Software Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability**. Released 2021-03-24.

Affected:

- Cisco Aironet Access Point Software
- Cisco Aironet Access Point Software (IOS XE Controller)

## Remediation

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. https://software.cisco.com