CVE-2021-38645
HighExploitedPublic exploitOpen Management Infrastructure Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Published Sep 15, 2021 · Updated Aug 12, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2021-38645 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Azure Automation State Configuration (Microsoft), Azure Automation Update Management (Microsoft), Azure Diagnostics (Microsoft) and 9 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Sep 17, 2021. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 2.7% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Azure Automation State Configuration DSC Agent versions: 2.71.1.25, 2.70.0.30, 3.0.0.3, Azure Automation Update Management OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0, Azure Diagnostics LAD v4.0.13 and LAD v3.0.135.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
2.7%
Higher than 85.8% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2021-38645 brief as a PDF
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Description
Open Management Infrastructure Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Sep 17, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Nov 3, 2021 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
15 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Azure Automation State ConfigurationMicrosoft | See advisory | DSC Agent versions: 2.71.1.25, 2.70.0.30, 3.0.0.3 |
| Azure Automation Update ManagementMicrosoft | See advisory | OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0 |
| Azure DiagnosticsMicrosoft | See advisory | LAD v4.0.13 and LAD v3.0.135 |
| Azure Diagnostics \(lad\)Microsoft | See advisory | n/a |
| Azure Open Management InfrastructureMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
Patched Releases
Azure Automation State Configuration
DSC Agent versions: 2.71.1.25, 2.70.0.30, 3.0.0.3
Azure Automation Update Management
OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0
Azure Diagnostics
LAD v4.0.13 and LAD v3.0.135
Azure Security Center
OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0
Azure Sentinel
OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0
Azure Stack Hub
3.1.135, Monitor, Update and Config Mgmnt 1.14.01
Container Monitoring Solution
publication
Log Analytics Agent
OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0
Open Management Infrastructure
1.6.8-1, OMI Version 1.6.8-1
System Center Operations Manager
OMI version: 1.6.8-1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Sep 15, 2021
Added to Industry KEV feed
Sep 17, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to CIRCL KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to ENISA EUVD
Nov 3, 2021
Last updated
Aug 12, 2026
References
- patchhttps://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-38645
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- otherhttps://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-38645
FAQ
Common Questions.
Open Management Infrastructure Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Affected: Azure Automation State Configuration (Microsoft); Azure Automation Update Management (Microsoft); Azure Diagnostics (Microsoft), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Sep 17, 2021.
Yes. It was added on Nov 3, 2021 with a federal remediation due date of Nov 17, 2021.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Azure Automation State Configuration DSC Agent versions: 2.71.1.25, 2.70.0.30, 3.0.0.3, Azure Automation Update Management OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0, Azure Diagnostics LAD v4.0.13 and LAD v3.0.135.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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