CVE-2021-38295
Privilege escalation vulnerability when using HTML attachments
- Published
- Oct 14, 2021
- Updated
- Aug 4, 2024
- Assigning CNA
- apache
- Evidence observed
- Aug 5, 2026
Primary CVSS
nvd · CVSS 3.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HLow · next 30 days
- Percentile
- 84.0%
- Model date
- Sep 21, 2026
EPSS is a statistical estimate, not a certainty or a measure of impact. Combine it with CVSS, KEV status, exposure and your environment.
Summary
In Apache CouchDB, a malicious user with permission to create documents in a database is able to attach a HTML attachment to a document. If a CouchDB admin opens that attachment in a browser, e.g. via the CouchDB admin interface Fauxton, any JavaScript code embedded in that HTML attachment will be executed within the security context of that admin. A similar route is available with the already deprecated _show and _list functionality. This privilege escalation vulnerability allows an attacker to add or remove data in any database or make configuration changes. This issue affected Apache CouchDB prior to 3.1.2
Sources
1A simple Python proof of concept for CVE-2021-38295.
Responsible use
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