How severe is CVE-2021-40525?

CVE-2021-40525 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1, 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 none.

Is CVE-2021-40525 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (88th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-40525?

CVE-2021-40525 affects Apache James. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-40525?

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-2021-40525 published?

CVE-2021-40525 was published on 2022-01-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-40525

CVE-2021-40525 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Apache James with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1. 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-22.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.1)
CVSS v2: 6.4
EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (88th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Apache James
Published: 2022-01-04
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Apache James ManagedSieve implementation alongside with the file storage for sieve scripts is vulnerable to path traversal, allowing reading and writing any file. This vulnerability had been patched in Apache James 3.6.1 and higher. We recommend the upgrade. Distributed and Cassandra based products are also not impacted.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-40525?: Apache James ManagedSieve implementation alongside with the file storage for sieve scripts is vulnerable to path traversal, allowing reading and writing any file. This vulnerability had been patched in Apache James 3.6.1 and higher. We recommend the upgrade. Distributed and Cassandra based products are also not impacted.
How severe is CVE-2021-40525?: CVE-2021-40525 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.1, 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 none.
Is CVE-2021-40525 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (88th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-40525?: CVE-2021-40525 affects Apache James. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-40525?: 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-2021-40525 published?: CVE-2021-40525 was published on 2022-01-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:apache:james:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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