How severe is CVE-2021-38562?

CVE-2021-38562 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2021-38562 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (75th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-38562?

CVE-2021-38562 primarily affects Bestpractical Request Tracker. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38562?

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-2021-38562 published?

CVE-2021-38562 was published on 2021-10-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-38562

CVE-2021-38562 is a high-severity vulnerability in Bestpractical Request Tracker with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-203.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (75th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-203
Affected product: Bestpractical Request Tracker
Published: 2021-10-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Best Practical Request Tracker (RT) 4.2 before 4.2.17, 4.4 before 4.4.5, and 5.0 before 5.0.2 allows sensitive information disclosure via a timing attack against lib/RT/REST2/Middleware/Auth.pm.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-38562?: Best Practical Request Tracker (RT) 4.2 before 4.2.17, 4.4 before 4.4.5, and 5.0 before 5.0.2 allows sensitive information disclosure via a timing attack against lib/RT/REST2/Middleware/Auth.pm.
How severe is CVE-2021-38562?: CVE-2021-38562 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2021-38562 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (75th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-38562?: CVE-2021-38562 primarily affects Bestpractical Request Tracker. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-38562?: 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-2021-38562 published?: CVE-2021-38562 was published on 2021-10-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:bestpractical:request_tracker:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Bestpractical Request Tracker

CVE-2017-5944 — High (CVSS 8.8): The dashboard subscription interface in Request Tracker (RT) 4.x before 4.0.25, 4.2.x before 4.2.14, and 4.4.x before…
CVE-2017-5943 — High (CVSS 8.8): Request Tracker (RT) 4.x before 4.0.25, 4.2.x before 4.2.14, and 4.4.x before 4.4.2 allows remote attackers to obtain…
CVE-2023-45024 — High (CVSS 7.5): Best Practical Request Tracker (RT) 5 before 5.0.5 allows Information Disclosure via a transaction search in the…
CVE-2023-41260 — High (CVSS 7.5): Best Practical Request Tracker (RT) before 4.4.7 and 5.x before 5.0.5 allows Information Exposure in responses to…
CVE-2023-41259 — High (CVSS 7.5): Best Practical Request Tracker (RT) before 4.4.7 and 5.x before 5.0.5 allows Information Disclosure via fake or spoofed…
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