How severe is CVE-2021-38294?

CVE-2021-38294 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-2021-38294 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 84% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-38294?

CVE-2021-38294 affects Apache Storm. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38294?

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-2021-38294 published?

CVE-2021-38294 was published on 2021-10-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-38294

CVE-2021-38294 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Apache Storm with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 84% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-78.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 84% (100th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Apache Storm
Published: 2021-10-25
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A Command Injection vulnerability exists in the getTopologyHistory service of the Apache Storm 2.x prior to 2.2.1 and Apache Storm 1.x prior to 1.2.4. A specially crafted thrift request to the Nimbus server allows Remote Code Execution (RCE) prior to authentication.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-38294?: A Command Injection vulnerability exists in the getTopologyHistory service of the Apache Storm 2.x prior to 2.2.1 and Apache Storm 1.x prior to 1.2.4. A specially crafted thrift request to the Nimbus server allows Remote Code Execution (RCE) prior to authentication.
How severe is CVE-2021-38294?: CVE-2021-38294 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-2021-38294 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 84% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-38294?: CVE-2021-38294 affects Apache Storm. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-38294?: 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-2021-38294 published?: CVE-2021-38294 was published on 2021-10-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:apache:storm:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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