CVE-2021-38553

Name: CVE-2021-38553
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-08-13T16:15:08.08+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 4.4/10EPSS 0.27%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-38553 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 4.4/10 on the CVSS scale. HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise 1.4.0 through 1.7.3 initialized an underlying database file associated with the Integrated Storage feature with excessively broad filesystem permissions. Fixed in Vault and Vault Enterprise 1.8.0.. EPSS estimates a 0.27% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise 1.4.0 through 1.7.3 initialized an underlying database file associated with the Integrated Storage feature with excessively broad filesystem permissions. Fixed in Vault and Vault Enterprise 1.8.0.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

4.4/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.27%

18.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-281

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Hashicorp	Vault	>= 1.4.0, < 1.8.0

References

https://discuss.hashicorp.com/t/hcsec-2021-20-vault-s-integrated-storage-backend-database-file-may-have-excessively-broad-permissions/28168Vendor Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202207-01Third Party Advisory
https://discuss.hashicorp.com/t/hcsec-2021-20-vault-s-integrated-storage-backend-database-file-may-have-excessively-broad-permissions/28168Vendor Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202207-01Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 13, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-38553?

How severe is CVE-2021-38553?

CVE-2021-38553 has a CVSS score of 4.4/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.27% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38553?

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-2021-38553?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST