How severe is CVE-2021-38759?

CVE-2021-38759 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-2021-38759 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 16% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-38759?

CVE-2021-38759 affects Raspberrypi Raspberry Pi Os Lite. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38759?

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-2021-38759 published?

CVE-2021-38759 was published on 2021-12-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-38759

CVE-2021-38759 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Raspberrypi Raspberry Pi Os Lite with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 16% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-1188.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 16% (96th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-1188
Affected product: Raspberrypi Raspberry Pi Os Lite
Published: 2021-12-07
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Raspberry Pi OS through 5.10 has the raspberry default password for the pi account. If not changed, attackers can gain administrator privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-38759?: Raspberry Pi OS through 5.10 has the raspberry default password for the pi account. If not changed, attackers can gain administrator privileges.
How severe is CVE-2021-38759?: CVE-2021-38759 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-2021-38759 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 16% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-38759?: CVE-2021-38759 affects Raspberrypi Raspberry Pi Os Lite. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-38759?: 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-2021-38759 published?: CVE-2021-38759 was published on 2021-12-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:raspberrypi:raspberry_pi_os_lite:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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