MEDIUM CVSS 6.5
Published: 2021-02-09

CVE-2021-26921

argoproj argo_cd Security Advisory (CVE-2021-26921)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2021-26921 impacting argoproj argo_cd. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 6.5 (MEDIUM).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
In util/session/sessionmanager.go in Argo CD before 1.8.4, tokens continue to work even when the user account is disabled.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
None (PR:N)
Unauthenticated execution
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
Low (C:L)
Partial information leakage
Integrity
Low (I:L)
Partial data modification possible
Availability
None (A:N)
No system availability impact

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product argoproj / argo_cd
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-613

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2021-26921 impacting argoproj argo_cd.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2021-26921.yaml
id: cve-2021-26921

info:
  name: argoproj argo_cd - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: medium
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2021-26921 affecting argoproj argo_cd.
    Evaluation: In util/session/sessionmanager.go in Argo CD before 1.8.4, tokens continue to work even when the user account is disabled....
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2021-26921
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
    cvss-score: 6.5
    cve-id: CVE-2021-26921
    cwe-id: CWE-613
  tags: cve,cve-2021-26921,argoproj,argo_cd,medium

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "argo_cd"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2021-26921.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2021-26921
# Target: argoproj argo_cd | CVSS: 6.5 (MEDIUM)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2021-26921 (argoproj argo_cd)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against argoproj argo_cd scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2021-26921.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2021-26921
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install argo_cd 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade argo_cd 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update argo_cd

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i argo_cd 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i argo_cd

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2021-26921 in argoproj argo_cd?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update argoproj argo_cd packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2021-26921?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2021-26921?

CVE-2021-26921 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 6.5 (MEDIUM). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
6.5
MEDIUM SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2021-26921
Weakness CWE-613
Vendor argoproj
Product argo_cd
Published 2021-02-09
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N