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CVE-2021-21315

From Exploited flaws, HARD’s guide to the flaws being used in attacks · Checked
This article is about a flaw in Npm package System Information Library for Node.JS. For every flaw being used in attacks, see Exploited flaws.

CVE-2021-21315 is a security flaw in Npm package System Information Library for Node.JS. Attackers can run commands on Npm package System Information Library for Node.JS. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 18 Jan 2022.[1]

Npm package System Information Library for Node.JS is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff.

Description

CISA calls it a command injection in Npm package System Information Library for Node.JS. In its words: “In this vulnerability, an attacker can send a malicious payload that will exploit the name parameter. After successful exploitation, attackers can execute remote.”[1]

The CVE record adds: “The System Information Library for Node.JS (npm package "systeminformation") is an open source collection of functions to retrieve detailed hardware, system and OS information. In systeminformation before version 5.3.1 there is a command injection vulnerability. Problem was fixed in version 5.3.1. As a workaround instead of upgrading, be sure to check or sanitize service parameters that are passed to si.inetLatency(), si.inetChecksite(), si.services(), si.processLoad() ... do only allow strings, reject any arrays. String sanitation works as expected.”[2]

The underlying weakness is OS command injection (CWE-78), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.

It scores 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]

Affected versions

NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it. CISA names the product as Npm package System Information Library for Node.JS.

Most families won’t have Npm package System Information Library for Node.JS; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.

Exploitation

CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 18 Jan 2022, 336 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 1 Feb 2022 to fix it.[1]

FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 91%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[3]

CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.

CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.

Fix

CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]

  1. Check whether you use it.Npm package System Information Library for Node.JS is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
  2. Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed, or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 1 Feb 2022 to fix it.
  3. If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.

You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.

Timeline

DateEvent
The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2]
CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1]
CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1]
FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 91%.[3]

See also

Other OS command injection flaws

  • CVE-2026-110447, Collabora Online – Built-in CODE Server: online – built-in CODE server OS command injection ·
  • CVE-2026-106931, EG Secure Solutions SiteGuard Server Edition: OS command injection ·
  • CVE-2026-83549, SonicWall SMA1000 Appliances: OS command injection ·
  • CVE-2026-49869, Kestra OSS: OSS OS command injection ·
  • CVE-2026-73570, Synacor Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS): OS command injection ·

Added the same day

  • CVE-2021-40870, Aviatrix Controller: controller unrestricted upload of file ·
  • CVE-2021-33766, Microsoft Exchange Server: information disclosure ·
  • CVE-2021-32648, October CMS: improper authentication ·
  • CVE-2021-25298, Nagios XI: XI OS command injection ·
  • CVE-2021-25297, Nagios XI: XI OS command injection ·

References

  1. ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “System Information Library for Node.JS Command Injection”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 18 Jan 2022.
  2. ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2021-21315 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 16 Feb 2021.
  3. ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.907, percentile 99.8, 31 Oct 2026.
  4. CVE Program. “CVE-2021-21315”. The official CVE record.

This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.