Historical catalog analysis: CISA added this entry on December 23, 2024. The entry reflects catalog information retrieved on August 31, 2026, not a snapshot archived on the inclusion date. Check current vendor guidance before acting.
What the vulnerability is
CVE-2021-44207 is a vulnerability involving the use of hard-coded credentials (CWE-798) within Acclaim Systems USAHERDS. If an attacker obtains the required MachineKey through a separate vulnerability or other channel, this flaw could allow them to achieve remote code execution on the system hosting the application.
Exposure and applicability
This vulnerability applies to agricultural operations utilizing the USAHERDS livestock management software. Because this software is used to manage herd health and operational data, it functions as part of the operational technology (OT) environment for dairy and livestock facilities. The risk is specifically tied to systems running the USAHERDS application where the MachineKey can be compromised.
Remediation priorities
Based on our analysis, asset owners should prioritize the following actions:
- Vendor Consultation: Contact Acclaim Systems directly to identify if a patch or specific mitigation exists for CVE-2021-44207.
- Mitigation Application: Apply any vendor-provided updates or configuration changes as instructed by the developer.
- Operational Review: If mitigations are unavailable, evaluate the risk of continued use versus discontinuing the product to prevent potential system compromise.
How to validate remediation
Validation should be conducted through official channels provided by the vendor. Asset owners can verify that they are running a version or configuration that the developer confirms is mitigated against CVE-2021-44207. We do not recommend active scanning or intrusive testing of production livestock management systems without OEM guidance and engineering review.
Limits and open questions
It remains unknown whether this vulnerability has been utilized in ransomware campaigns. Additionally, the specific method for obtaining the MachineKey—which is a prerequisite for exploitation—is not detailed in the source data. Users should be aware that applying a mitigation may reduce the likelihood of exploitation but does not eliminate all residual risks associated with hard-coded credentials if other system vulnerabilities exist.
Source and editorial note
CVE-2021-44207: Acclaim Systems USAHERDS Use of Hard-Coded Credentials Vulnerability · Source date: December 23, 2024 · Retrieved August 31, 2026.
Material facts are tied to the cited primary source. Recommendations are independent defensive analysis unless attributed to the source. Confirm consequential decisions against current authoritative guidance.
Archive date: December 26, 2024. The displayed post date is assigned three days after the source date to organize this retrospective archive; it does not mean this site published the analysis then. First published by this site: September 23, 2026 at 01:18 UTC.
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