How severe is CVE-2021-22148?

CVE-2021-22148 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-22148 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (56th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-22148?

CVE-2021-22148 affects Elastic Enterprise Search. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-22148?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-22148 published?

CVE-2021-22148 was published on 2021-09-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-22148

CVE-2021-22148 is a high-severity vulnerability in Elastic Enterprise Search with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-732.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (56th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-732
Affected product: Elastic Enterprise Search
Published: 2021-09-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Elastic Enterprise Search App Search versions before 7.14.0 was vulnerable to an issue where API keys were not bound to the same engines as their creator. This could lead to a less privileged user gaining access to unauthorized engines.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-22148?: Elastic Enterprise Search App Search versions before 7.14.0 was vulnerable to an issue where API keys were not bound to the same engines as their creator. This could lead to a less privileged user gaining access to unauthorized engines.
How severe is CVE-2021-22148?: CVE-2021-22148 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-22148 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (56th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-22148?: CVE-2021-22148 affects Elastic Enterprise Search. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-22148?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-22148 published?: CVE-2021-22148 was published on 2021-09-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:elastic:enterprise_search:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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