Duo Authentication Proxy Installer Denial of Service Vulnerability
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
The Duo Authentication Proxy installer prior to 5.2.1 did not properly validate file installation paths. This allows an attacker with local user privileges to coerce the installer to write to arbitrary privileged directories. If successful, an attacker can manipulate files used by Duo Authentication Proxy installer, cause Denial of Service (DoS) by deleting file(s), or replace system files to potentially achieve elevation of privileges. This is only exploitable during new installations, while the installer is running, and is not exploitable once installation has finished. Versions 5.2.1 of Duo Authentication Proxy installer addresses this issue.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Duo Authentication Proxy | before 5.2.1 | 5.2.1 | Patch available | CNA |
- Duo Authentication Proxy VendorCisco Affected before 5.2.1 Fixed in 5.2.1 Patch available CNA
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Duo Authentication Proxy (Cisco) Fixed in 5.2.1
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-1492
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-5hf3-34gj-8w5g
References
Advisory 1
More Cisco vulnerabilities
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- TI-2026-53490 Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager System Account Authorization Bypass Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-53489 Cisco Secure Email Gateway SQL Injection Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-53488 Cisco Identity Services Engine Authentication Bypass Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2026-16388 Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Controller Authentication Bypass Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2026-16344 Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center Software Remote Code Execution Vulnerability KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
Sources
- CVE-2021-1492 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-1492 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-5hf3-34gj-8w5g · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences