CASCACascade Atlas

Evidence dossier

CVE-2021-3560

It was found that polkit could be tricked into bypassing the credential checks for D-Bus requests, elevating the privileges of the requestor to the root user.

Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV since May 12, 2023). NVD reports CVSS 3.1 7.8. EPSS estimates 22.2% exploit likelihood as of Aug 27, 2026.

75.8–76.4Priority evidence range
Evidence current through Aug 27, 2026, 6:09 PM UTC

As of Aug 27, 2026

Normalized restatement

It was found that polkit could be tricked into bypassing the credential checks for D-Bus requests, elevating the privileges of the requestor to the root user. This flaw could be used by an unprivileged local attacker to, for example, create a new local administrator. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.

State
PUBLISHED
Published
Feb 16, 2022
Updated
Oct 21, 2025
Evidence coverage
97%

Evidence chronology

What was known when

Download this view's receipt →
  1. Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCA
    CISA-ADP

    Record text: CISA ADP Vulnrichment

    Inspect raw assertion
    Field
    container
    Value
    CISA ADP Vulnrichment
    Original evidence ↗
  2. Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCA
    CVE Program

    Record text: CVE Program Container

    Inspect raw assertion
    Field
    container
    Value
    CVE Program Container
    Original evidence ↗
  3. Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCA
    redhat

    Record text: It was found that polkit could be tricked into bypassing the credential checks for D-Bus requests, elevating the privileges of the requestor to the root user. This flaw could be used by an unprivileged local attacker to, for example, create a new local administrator. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.

    Inspect raw assertion
    Field
    container
    Value
    It was found that polkit could be tricked into bypassing the credential checks for D-Bus requests, elevating the privileges of the requestor to the root user. This flaw could be used by an unprivileged local attacker to, for example, create a new local administrator. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.
    Original evidence ↗
  4. Source dateFirst observed by CASCA
    CISA KEV

    Exploitation cataloged: Red Hat Polkit Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability

    Inspect raw assertion
    Field
    observed_exploitation
    Value
    Red Hat Polkit Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability
    Original evidence ↗
  5. Source dateFirst observed by CASCA
    FIRST EPSS

    EPSS score: 22.19% probability · 97.5th percentile

    Inspect raw assertion
    Field
    model_probability
    Value
    Probability 0.221930000000; percentile 0.974970000000
    Original evidence ↗
ExploitationCatalog member

CISA KEV · catalog date May 12, 2023 · first observed Jul 19, 2026

Exploit likelihood22.19%

FIRST EPSS · score date Aug 27, 2026 · 97.5th percentile · first observed Aug 27, 2026

SeverityCVSS 7.8

NVD · CVSS 3.1 · first observed Jul 19, 2026 · same-version scores align in this snapshot

Evidence detail

Source limits and decisions

Why each evidence state has this value

casca-unknown-reasons-v1
Exploitation statusEvidence supported

Eligible evidence is present for this bounded claim.

Revision
evidence-policy-v1.1.0
Cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Resolution
None
Exploit likelihoodEvidence supported

Eligible evidence is present for this bounded claim.

Revision
evidence-policy-v1.1.0
Cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Resolution
None
Severity assessmentEvidence supported

Eligible evidence is present for this bounded claim.

Revision
casca-direct-cvss-eligibility-v1
Cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Resolution
None
Affected productsSource-reported scope

The cited source assertion is retained while canonical product linkage remains open.

Revision
casca-factor-d-obligations-v1
Cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Resolution
Resolve identity

Source comparison

Who said what

CISA-ADPIndependent enrichment
Record text

CISA ADP Vulnrichment

Inspect raw assertion
Field
container
Value
CISA ADP Vulnrichment
Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCAOriginal evidence ↗
CVE ProgramDerivative copy
Record text

CVE Program Container

Inspect raw assertion
Field
container
Value
CVE Program Container
Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCAOriginal evidence ↗
redhatOriginal assertion
Record text

It was found that polkit could be tricked into bypassing the credential checks for D-Bus requests, elevating the privileges of the requestor to the root user. This flaw could be used by an unprivileged local attacker to, for example, create a new local administrator. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.

Inspect raw assertion
Field
container
Value
It was found that polkit could be tricked into bypassing the credential checks for D-Bus requests, elevating the privileges of the requestor to the root user. This flaw could be used by an unprivileged local attacker to, for example, create a new local administrator. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.
Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCAOriginal evidence ↗
CISA KEVOriginal assertion
Exploitation cataloged

Red Hat Polkit Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability

Inspect raw assertion
Field
observed_exploitation
Value
Red Hat Polkit Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability
Source dateFirst observed by CASCAOriginal evidence ↗
FIRST EPSSOriginal assertion
EPSS score

22.19% probability · 97.5th percentile

Inspect raw assertion
Field
model_probability
Value
Probability 0.221930000000; percentile 0.974970000000
Source dateFirst observed by CASCAOriginal evidence ↗

Applicability

Cited product scope

Trace impact →
9Underlying assertions
7Canonical products
6Target assertions
3Constraint assertions

Grouped from 7 configuration nodes in this exact snapshot. Visual grouping is navigational; asset exposure and root cause require cited evidence.

Identity source boundaries
  • Cpe dictionary1,775,266 records · observed through 2026-07-21T06:45:29.809Z27d65b0f-b718-4b4f-bb79-c47c68d09dfa
  • Cpe match643,502 records · observed through 2026-07-21T08:13:17.697Z955dae73-7302-438b-aee1-058d7cc5d48e

8 scope groups

redhat · source assertedn/apolkitDirect source scope
Affected: polkit 0.119
Source-reported scope

Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.

Inspect raw assertion[{"status": "affected", "version": "polkit 0.119"}]
NVD CPE · OPERATING SYSTEMcanonicalubuntu_linuxVulnerable target · 1 assertions
Version 20.04Canonical identity product-a18840e4673d48e569064752e9575849e99b3f173c63d7c965c4c193bcaebef2Linked exact
Scope supported
Inspect raw assertion
  1. cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:20.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    2 · node/0 · match 0
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    8e442013-ebf8-44f2-aaaa-b23816f3230e
NVD CPE · OPERATING SYSTEMdebiandebian_linuxVulnerable target · 1 assertions
Version 11.0Canonical identity product-3ccb4bc87dfae98fa2f2a06435fe5b3d9be78572fb958a89f2d7a96b4066447eLinked exact
Scope supported
Inspect raw assertion
  1. cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    1 · node/0 · match 0
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    fa6feec2-9f11-4643-8827-749718254fed
NVD CPE · APPLICATIONpolkit_projectpolkitVulnerable target · 1 assertions
Any version (unconstrained) (< 0.119)Canonical identity product-e81f758e6b637c995e45dc4148f04de9f0425499aa3370219ceeb2f9f7dd4d96Linked exact
Scope supported
Inspect raw assertion
  1. cpe:2.3:a:polkit_project:polkit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    0 · node/0 · match 0
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    through excluding 0.119
    Match ID
    771ab1ea-d17c-4dfc-9a97-b197f1771818
NVD CPE · OPERATING SYSTEMredhatenterprise_linuxEnvironmental constraint · 3 assertions
Version 7.0; Version 8.0Canonical identity product-ec20120153af988d42a6a2dfd3cdd9595762b35581f66014faaa4f85d8f844eeLinked exact
Scope constrained
Inspect raw assertions
  1. cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Environmental constraint
    Configuration
    4 · node/1 · match 0
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    142ad0dd-4cf3-4d74-9442-459ce3347e3a
  2. cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Environmental constraint
    Configuration
    3 · node/1 · match 0
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    f4cff558-3c47-480d-a2f0-babf26042943
  3. cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Environmental constraint
    Configuration
    4 · node/1 · match 1
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    f4cff558-3c47-480d-a2f0-babf26042943
NVD CPE · APPLICATIONredhatopenshift_container_platformVulnerable target · 1 assertions
Version 4.7Canonical identity product-7679dc501564d985768c6f49dad30b878a10aff5484e38e0c095065539bf2f95Linked exact
Scope supported
Inspect raw assertion
  1. cpe:2.3:a:redhat:openshift_container_platform:4.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    4 · node/0 · match 0
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    14cf53d2-b585-4ea5-8f18-21bc9ecbb4b6
NVD CPE · APPLICATIONredhatvirtualizationVulnerable target · 1 assertions
Version 4.0Canonical identity product-bc21aa5dab2a412aef9570b514ef0e2d033cf0ebc75eadff51969247fea73111Linked exact
Scope supported
Inspect raw assertion
  1. cpe:2.3:a:redhat:virtualization:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    3 · node/0 · match 0
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    6bbd7a51-0590-4ddf-8249-5afa8d645cb6
NVD CPE · APPLICATIONredhatvirtualization_hostVulnerable target · 1 assertions
Version 4.0Canonical identity product-6077d17fbbe710b7e004df2ce68ca2ecda6ca6818bc290d21e2eb259438463baLinked exact
Scope supported
Inspect raw assertion
  1. cpe:2.3:a:redhat:virtualization_host:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    3 · node/0 · match 1
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    bb28f9af-3d06-4532-b397-96d7e4792503

Affected-product evidence

Accepted scope and product mapping

6 canonical links · 1 source-reported links

Mapping establishedEvidence supported

vendor-66ae8c5e06427f7450637d18322b0dc411c0b469d940341cf076a620d444fe3c · product-3ccb4bc87dfae98fa2f2a06435fe5b3d9be78572fb958a89f2d7a96b4066447e

Source class
Nvd cpe vulnerable target
Assertions
1
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
c72743d0-8145-4a28-8211-e932755706c8
Mapping establishedEvidence supported

vendor-c759fafc60d6abc1277ecbf1ee6294d1f25ae0a4c7d5d0d9355c414b2db182cc · product-6077d17fbbe710b7e004df2ce68ca2ecda6ca6818bc290d21e2eb259438463ba

Source class
Nvd cpe vulnerable target
Assertions
1
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
6ff8da4f-24c6-4be9-b340-4bab013647ef
Mapping establishedEvidence supported

vendor-c759fafc60d6abc1277ecbf1ee6294d1f25ae0a4c7d5d0d9355c414b2db182cc · product-7679dc501564d985768c6f49dad30b878a10aff5484e38e0c095065539bf2f95

Source class
Nvd cpe vulnerable target
Assertions
1
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
01f9a0ec-5e63-4186-8bb4-262fe0f4dbe3
Mapping establishedEvidence supported

vendor-c57a6167e95991f72f9616ac32b40463ac13c5f4929fcce3efc058b09a445b54 · product-a18840e4673d48e569064752e9575849e99b3f173c63d7c965c4c193bcaebef2

Source class
Nvd cpe vulnerable target
Assertions
1
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
a56def49-e46b-4f81-980b-2a9c4811e53b
Mapping establishedEvidence supported

vendor-c759fafc60d6abc1277ecbf1ee6294d1f25ae0a4c7d5d0d9355c414b2db182cc · product-bc21aa5dab2a412aef9570b514ef0e2d033cf0ebc75eadff51969247fea73111

Source class
Nvd cpe vulnerable target
Assertions
1
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
81388fd4-43e4-4d7f-b890-747d038ace94
Mapping establishedEvidence supported

vendor-b808cdc68d74f333ae7baf917b13208bd9afe3251f642c16b004d451e3e40300 · product-e81f758e6b637c995e45dc4148f04de9f0425499aa3370219ceeb2f9f7dd4d96

Source class
Nvd cpe vulnerable target
Assertions
1
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
63a29d2a-07e2-4556-aeb1-3742f15b7d42
Source-reported scopeSource-reported scope

Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.

Vendor specified only by source · Product specified only by source

Source class
Direct cve affected
Assertions
1
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
89c93b56-89dc-47e6-aa37-6e5a59492328

Assessments

CVSS by origin

7.8
NVDCVSS 3.1 · role Primary · priority eligiblevalid_matchCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2
NVDCVSS 2.0 · role Primary · priority eligiblevalid_matchAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8
CVE Program sourceCVSS 3.1 · role Secondary · priority eligiblevalid_matchCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8
CISA-ADPCVSS 3.1 · role unknown · display onlyDirect record assessment retained outside normalized eligibilityCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Direct CVE/CNA normalized decisions

7.8Priority eligible

CISA-ADP

CVSS 3.1 · Secondary · Independent enrichment · rank 2

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Validation
Valid match
Recomputed
7.8
Decision reason
Evidence supported
Policy
casca-direct-cvss-eligibility-v1

Assessments are retained side by side under closed precedence. Cascade never averages CVSS.

Evidence boundaries

  • KEV membership is authoritative for the catalog, not proof of exposure in any environment.
  • EPSS is a dated model probability and not an individual-environment prediction.
  • Affected or fixed status applies only to the exact cited product and version scope; remaining scope stays source-scoped.
  • NVD-carried upstream facts remain derivative; independent corroboration requires a separately authored source.
  • Only NVD metrics validated under the generation-bound calculator are Public Priority eligible; direct CVE record metrics remain display-only.
  • NVD CVSS source eligibility is closed: NVD-authored, exact record-source, or registered same-CVE container origin; unmapped sources remain display-only.
  • Core replay supports the active and immediately prior generation; retrospective valid-at replay is deferred.
  • OSV aggregation and OSV-converted NVD material are not independent corroboration.
  • Red Hat facts are vendor assertions for the exact supplied products.
  • Nonmembership and not-yet-observed states are not proof of safety.