CVE-2021-38266

Name: CVE-2021-38266
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2022-03-02T23:15:08.577+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 2.16%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-38266 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. The Portal Security module in Liferay Portal 7.2.1 and earlier, and Liferay DXP 7.0 before fix pack 90, 7.1 before fix pack 17 and 7.2 before fix pack 5 does not correctly import users from LDAP, which allows remote attackers to prevent a legitimate user from authenticating by attempting to sign in as a user that exist in LDAP.. EPSS estimates a 2.16% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The Portal Security module in Liferay Portal 7.2.1 and earlier, and Liferay DXP 7.0 before fix pack 90, 7.1 before fix pack 17 and 7.2 before fix pack 5 does not correctly import users from LDAP, which allows remote attackers to prevent a legitimate user from authenticating by attempting to sign in as a user that exist in LDAP.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

2.16%

79.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Liferay	Liferay Portal	<= 7.2.1
Liferay	Digital Experience Platform	7.0
Liferay	Digital Experience Platform	7.1
Liferay	Digital Experience Platform	7.2

References

http://liferay.comVendor Advisory
https://issues.liferay.com/browse/LPE-17191Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://portal.liferay.dev/learn/security/known-vulnerabilities/-/asset_publisher/HbL5mxmVrnXW/content/cve-2021-38266Vendor Advisory
http://liferay.comVendor Advisory
https://issues.liferay.com/browse/LPE-17191Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://portal.liferay.dev/learn/security/known-vulnerabilities/-/asset_publisher/HbL5mxmVrnXW/content/cve-2021-38266Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Mar 2, 2022
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-38266?

How severe is CVE-2021-38266?

CVE-2021-38266 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.16% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38266?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-38266?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST