CVE-2021-38542: apache software foundation apache james Command Injection
CVSS: 5.9v3.1MediumModified
AliasesCGA-pgpv-68jp-r38vCGA-qp69-c6g3-rr38GHSA-84wg-rgp8-2hg4
Published 04-01-2022Last modified 04-08-2024
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2021-38542 is a medium (CVSS 5.9) Command Injection vulnerability in apache software foundation apache james. EPSS estimates a 2.35% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 83.4% of scored vulnerabilities.
CVSS score
5.9/10
010
Medium · v3.1 (NVD)EPSS score
2.35%
0%100%
Low · 0.00 pp in 30 daysKEVNot listedIn no KEV catalog
RansomwareNone recordedNo known use recorded
Public exploits0No public exploits recorded
Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 0 · Related 2Timeline
- 04-01-2022PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 04-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
Apache James prior to release 3.6.1 is vulnerable to a buffering attack relying on the use of the STARTTLS command. This can result in Man-in -the-middle command injection attacks, leading potentially to leakage of sensible information.
CVSS metrics
5 scores · 4 sources · 2 versionsMedium 5.9Preferred score · NVD (NIST)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:NSourcesAll 4 agree
- OSV · WolfiEcosystem advisory · calculated5.9MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
- OSV · ChainguardEcosystem advisory · calculated5.9MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
- OSV · MavenEcosystem advisory · calculated5.9MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Medium 4.3Preferred score · NVD (NIST)
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:NSourcesSingle source
EPSS trend
Probability
2.35%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
83%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
0.00 pp
From 2.35% on 19-09-2026
19-09-202619-10-2026
EPSS score2.35%
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root cause- CWE-77Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
- CWE-327Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic AlgorithmThe product uses a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm or protocol.
Affected systems
Apache1 product
- james< 3.6.1
Apache software foundation1 product
- apache james≥ Apache James, < 3.6.1
Chainguard1 product
- keycloakAll versions (No fix recorded)
Org.apache.james1 product
- james-server< 3.6.1
Wolfi1 product
- keycloakAll versions (No fix recorded)
5 vendors · 5 products
References
4 links- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/04/1X Refsource MISCAdvisoryWEBMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/04/1Mailing ListX Refsource MLISTAdvisoryWEBThird Party Advisory
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/09/20/1Mailing ListX Refsource MLISTAdvisoryWEBThird Party Advisory
