How severe is CVE-2021-38140?

CVE-2021-38140 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-38140 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (67th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-38140?

CVE-2021-38140 affects Set User Project Set User. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38140?

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

When was CVE-2021-38140 published?

CVE-2021-38140 was published on 2021-08-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-38140

CVE-2021-38140 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Set User Project Set User with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-269.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (67th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Set User Project Set User
Published: 2021-08-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The set_user extension module before 2.0.1 for PostgreSQL allows a potential privilege escalation using RESET SESSION AUTHORIZATION after set_user().

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-38140?: The set_user extension module before 2.0.1 for PostgreSQL allows a potential privilege escalation using RESET SESSION AUTHORIZATION after set_user().
How severe is CVE-2021-38140?: CVE-2021-38140 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-38140 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (67th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-38140?: CVE-2021-38140 affects Set User Project Set User. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-38140?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-38140 published?: CVE-2021-38140 was published on 2021-08-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:set_user_project:set_user:*:*:*:*:*:postgresql:*:*

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CVE-2021-41558 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): The set_user extension module before 3.0.0 for PostgreSQL allows ProcessUtility_hook bypass via set_config.

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