CVE-2021-3652: A flaw was found in 389-ds-base

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-3652?

389-ds-base: upgrade to 2.0.7. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-3652 being exploited?

CVE-2021-3652 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-2021-3652 affect?

CVE-2021-3652 affects 389-ds-base. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). A flaw was found in 389-ds-base. If an asterisk is imported as password hashes, either accidentally or maliciously, then instead of being inactive, any password will successfully match during authentication. This flaw allows an attacker to

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-3652?

Priority 46/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

MEDIUM 6.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-3652 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting 389-ds-base. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A flaw was found in 389-ds-base. If an asterisk is imported as password hashes, either accidentally or maliciously, then instead of being inactive, any password will successfully match during authentication. This flaw allows an attacker to successfully authenticate as a user whose password was disabled.

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.5% (top 26%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-287
Published	2022-04-18
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: port389

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-04-18 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

port389 389-ds-base UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.0.7

Fixed in: 2.0.7

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy 389-ds-base || rpm -q 389-ds-base || 389-ds-base --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.0.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade 389-ds-base

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade 389-ds-base

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-2021-3652?

389-ds-base: upgrade to 2.0.7. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-3652 being exploited?

CVE-2021-3652 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-2021-3652 affect?

CVE-2021-3652 affects 389-ds-base. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). A flaw was found in 389-ds-base. If an asterisk is imported as password hashes, either accidentally or maliciously, then instead of being inactive, any password will successfully match during authentication. This flaw allows an attacker to

How urgent is CVE-2021-3652?

Priority 46/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-2850 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found In 389-ds-base
CVE-2022-0918 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE A vulnerability was discovered in the 389 Directory Server that allows an unauthenticated attacker with networ
CVE-2021-4091 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE A double-free was found in the way 389-ds-base handles virtual attributes context in persistent searches

References

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