CVE-2021-21389
High PUBLISHEDBuddyPress privilege escalation via REST API
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
BuddyPress is an open source WordPress plugin to build a community site. In releases of BuddyPress from 5.0.0 before 7.2.1 it's possible for a non-privileged, regular user to obtain administrator rights by exploiting an issue in the REST API members endpoint. The vulnerability has been fixed in BuddyPress 7.2.1. Existing installations of the plugin should be updated to this version to mitigate the issue.
- CVE Published
- Mar 26, 2021
- Exploitation Reported
- Jun 07, 2026
- CVSS
- 8.1 High
- EPSS
- 13.9%
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| buddypress |
BuddyPress
|
>= 5.0.0, < 7.2.1 |
Affected |
CVE References
- GitHub — buddypress/BuddyPress github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/buddypress/BuddyPress/security/advisories/GHSA-m6j...
- buddypress.org/2021/03/buddypress-7-2-1-security-release buddypress.org · CVE Record https://buddypress.org/2021/03/buddypress-7-2-1-security-release/
- codex.buddypress.org/releases/version-7-2-1 codex.buddypress.org · CVE Record https://codex.buddypress.org/releases/version-7-2-1/
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| The Shadowserver First | 2025-06-30 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Scanner and exploit-framework references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-21389.yaml | Apr 25, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2026-06-07 00:00:00 UTC · The Shadowserver
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2021-05-31 14:12:26 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Incorrect Authorization
Scanner Integrations
Nuclei, Metasploit, and other scanner references for this CVE are listed on the Detection tab.
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2021-05-31 14:12:26 UTC · 17 stars
BuddyPress is an open source WordPress plugin to build a community site. In releases of BuddyPress from 5.0.0 before 7.2.1 it's possible for a non-privileged, regular user to obtain administrator rights by exploiting an issue in the REST API members endpoint. The vulnerability has been fixed in BuddyPress 7.2.1. Existing installations of the plugin should be updated to this version to mitigate the issue.
nuclei · Created Unknown
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
00:00 UTC about 1 year ago00:00 UTC · about 1 year ago
Added to KEVIntel KEV Feed
High-confidence, third-party attested exploitation
-
00:00 UTC over 1 year ago00:00 UTC · over 1 year ago
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
14:12 UTC about 5 years ago14:12 UTC · about 5 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
20:15 UTC over 5 years ago20:15 UTC · over 5 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 5 years ago00:00 UTC · over 5 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2021-21389
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2021-21389",
"title": "BuddyPress privilege escalation via REST API",
"affected_vendor": "buddypress",
"affected_product": "BuddyPress",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "High",
"cvss_score": 8.1,
"epss_score": 0.13882,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}