Vulnerability record

CVE-2021-44515

Zoho Desktop Central Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

CriticalExploitation confirmedCISA KEV

What should I do?

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog: attackers are using it. If you run Desktop Central, fix it now.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

US federal civilian agencies must remediate by Dec 24, 2021.

Patch status

Official fix available since Sep 30, 2026

Apply the vendor's update to every affected system. Check the fixed-in versions below where known.

Basis: NVD patch reference

Patch or advisory on manageengine.com (opens in a new tab)

Description

Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central is vulnerable to authentication bypass, leading to remote code execution on the server, as exploited in the wild in December 2021. For Enterprise builds 10.1.2127.17 and earlier, upgrade to 10.1.2127.18. For Enterprise builds 10.1.2128.0 through 10.1.2137.2, upgrade to 10.1.2137.3. For MSP builds 10.1.2127.17 and earlier, upgrade to 10.1.2127.18. For MSP builds 10.1.2128.0 through 10.1.2137.2, upgrade to 10.1.2137.3.

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database. Official vulnerability data, reproduced as published.

Affected products

Products affected by this vulnerability, with versions and the source of each entry
Product	Vendor	Source
Desktop Central	Zoho	KEV

Sources: KEV = CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Version details have not been published yet.

Intelligence timeline

Developments from the last 30 days, newest first.

CVSS scoredUpdateKEVSep 30, 2026
CVE-2021-44515 scored CVSS 9.8: Zoho Desktop Central, Zoho Desktop Central Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
CISA lists this as exploited in the wild. Unpatched Desktop Central systems are exposed to active attacks now.
Basis: NIST National Vulnerability Database
Patch releasedUpdateKEVSep 30, 2026
Patch released for CVE-2021-44515: Zoho Desktop Central, Zoho Desktop Central Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
An official fix is now available for Zoho Desktop Central. This vulnerability is being exploited, so apply it promptly.
Basis: NVD patch reference

1 earlier event is available with a subscription. See plans.

Coverage

We have not published a story about this vulnerability yet.

References

nvd.nist.gov https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44515
pitstop.manageengine.com https://pitstop.manageengine.com/portal/en/community/topic/an-authentication-bypass-vulnerability-identified-a…
cisa.gov https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/current-activity/2021/12/10/cisa-adds-thirteen-known-exploited-vulnerabilitie…
manageengine.com https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/cve-2021-44515-authentication-bypass-filter-configuratio…
cisa.gov https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-44515