How severe is CVE-2021-22149?

CVE-2021-22149 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-2021-22149 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-2021-22149?

CVE-2021-22149 affects Elastic Enterprise Search. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-22149?

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-2021-22149 published?

CVE-2021-22149 was published on 2021-09-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-22149

CVE-2021-22149 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-862.

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-862
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 are vulnerable to an issue where API keys were missing authorization via an alternate route. Using this vulnerability, an authenticated attacker could utilize API keys belonging to higher privileged users.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-22149?: Elastic Enterprise Search App Search versions before 7.14.0 are vulnerable to an issue where API keys were missing authorization via an alternate route. Using this vulnerability, an authenticated attacker could utilize API keys belonging to higher privileged users.
How severe is CVE-2021-22149?: CVE-2021-22149 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-2021-22149 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-2021-22149?: CVE-2021-22149 affects Elastic Enterprise Search. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-22149?: 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-2021-22149 published?: CVE-2021-22149 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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