CVE-2021-32053: JPA Server in HAPI FHIR before 5.4.0 allows a user to deny service (e.g., disable access to the database after

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-32053?

hapi fhir: upgrade to 5.4.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-32053 being exploited?

CVE-2021-32053 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-32053 affect?

CVE-2021-32053 affects hapi fhir. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). JPA Server in HAPI FHIR before 5.4.0 allows a user to deny service (e.g., disable access to the database after the attack stops) via history requests. This occurs because of a SELECT COUNT statement that requires a full index scan, with an

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-32053?

Priority 42/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

MEDIUM 5.3REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-32053 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting hapi fhir. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

JPA Server in HAPI FHIR before 5.4.0 allows a user to deny service (e.g., disable access to the database after the attack stops) via history requests. This occurs because of a SELECT COUNT statement that requires a full index scan, with an accompanying large amount of server resources if there are many simultaneous history requests.

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.6% (top 24%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-400
Published	2021-05-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: fhir

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-05-10 21:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:52 UTCUpdated Record last modified

fhir hapi fhir UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.4.0

Fixed in: 5.4.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy hapi-fhir || rpm -q hapi-fhir || hapi-fhir --version

2. UPGRADE to 5.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade hapi-fhir

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade hapi-fhir

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-32053?

hapi fhir: upgrade to 5.4.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-32053 being exploited?

CVE-2021-32053 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-32053 affect?

CVE-2021-32053 affects hapi fhir. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). JPA Server in HAPI FHIR before 5.4.0 allows a user to deny service (e.g., disable access to the database after the attack stops) via history requests. This occurs because of a SELECT COUNT statement that requires a full index scan, with an

How urgent is CVE-2021-32053?

Priority 42/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-12741 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE XSS exists in the HAPI FHIR testpage overlay module of the HAPI FHIR library before 3.8.0

References

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