CVE-2021-4238

Name: CVE-2021-4238
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2022-12-27T22:15:12.073+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.1/10EPSS 1.32%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-4238 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.1/10 on the CVSS scale. Randomly-generated alphanumeric strings contain significantly less entropy than expected. The RandomAlphaNumeric and CryptoRandomAlphaNumeric functions always return strings containing at least one digit from 0 to 9. EPSS estimates a 1.32% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Randomly-generated alphanumeric strings contain significantly less entropy than expected. The RandomAlphaNumeric and CryptoRandomAlphaNumeric functions always return strings containing at least one digit from 0 to 9. This significantly reduces the amount of entropy in short strings generated by these functions.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.1/10

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

EPSS Probability

1.32%

67.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-331

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Goutils Project	Goutils	< 1.1.1

References

https://github.com/Masterminds/goutils/commit/869801f20f9f1e7ecdbdb6422049d8241270d5e1Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://pkg.go.dev/vuln/GO-2022-0411Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/Masterminds/goutils/commit/869801f20f9f1e7ecdbdb6422049d8241270d5e1Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://pkg.go.dev/vuln/GO-2022-0411Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 27, 2022
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-4238?

How severe is CVE-2021-4238?

CVE-2021-4238 has a CVSS score of 9.1/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.32% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-4238?

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-2021-4238?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST