CVE-2021-38153 describes a timing attack vulnerability in Apache Kafka versions 2.0.0 through 2.8.0, where the use of Arrays.equals for password or key validation could allow an attacker to more easily brute force credentials. This medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 5.9) has a network attack vector and high confidentiality impact, but requires high attack complexity. While there is no known active exploitation, public exploit code, or KEV listing, the vulnerability has garnered some community discussion and media coverage. Users should upgrade to Kafka 2.8.1 or 3.0.0 and higher to mitigate this risk.
| Vendor | Product | Version(s) | CPE |
|---|---|---|---|
>= 2.0.0, < 2.6.3CPE matchmatch criteria | cpe:2.3:a:apache:kafka:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | ||
>= 2.7.0, < 2.7.2CPE matchmatch criteria | cpe:2.3:a:apache:kafka:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | ||
2.8.0CPE matchmatch criteria | cpe:2.3:a:apache:kafka:2.8.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:* | ||
< 2.2.4CPE matchmatch criteria | cpe:2.3:a:quarkus:quarkus:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | ||
< 12.0.0.4.6CPE matchmatch criteria | cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_brm_-_elastic_charging_engine:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
CVSS version used by this source: 3.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
The average CVE in this peer group has 0.0 Twitter, 0.0 Reddit, 0.0 Bluesky, 0.0 Mastodon, and 0.2 GitHub mentions.
The average CVE in this peer group has 0.0 InfoSec Media, 0.0 Vendor Blog, and 0.0 Security Researcher mentions.