CVE-2021-38599

Name: CVE-2021-38599
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-08-12T16:15:10.533+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 0.83%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-38599 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. WAL-G before 1.1, when a non-libsodium build (e.g., one of the official binary releases published as GitHub Releases) is used, silently ignores the libsodium encryption key and uploads cleartext backups. This is arguably a Principle of Least Surprise violation because "the user likely wanted to encrypt all file activity.". EPSS estimates a 0.83% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

WAL-G before 1.1, when a non-libsodium build (e.g., one of the official binary releases published as GitHub Releases) is used, silently ignores the libsodium encryption key and uploads cleartext backups. This is arguably a Principle of Least Surprise violation because "the user likely wanted to encrypt all file activity."

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.83%

53.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-754

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Wal-G Project	Wal-G	< 1.1

References

https://github.com/wal-g/wal-g/commit/cadf598e1c2a345915a21a44518c5a4d5401e2e3Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/wal-g/wal-g/pull/1062Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/wal-g/wal-g/commit/cadf598e1c2a345915a21a44518c5a4d5401e2e3Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/wal-g/wal-g/pull/1062Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 12, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-38599?

How severe is CVE-2021-38599?

CVE-2021-38599 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.83% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38599?

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-2021-38599?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST