CVE-2021-38619: openBaraza HCM 3.1.6 does not properly neutralize user-controllable input: an unauthenticated remote attacker

This month

MEDIUM 6.1DOWNGRADE

CVE-2021-38619 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.1) affecting openbaraza human capital management. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

openBaraza HCM 3.1.6 does not properly neutralize user-controllable input: an unauthenticated remote attacker can conduct a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against an administrative user from hr/subscription.jsp and hr/application.jsp and and hr/index.jsp (with view=).

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.1 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	2.0% (top 19%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2021-08-13
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: openbaraza

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-08-13 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

openbaraza openbaraza human capital management DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.1.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.1.6

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy openbaraza-human-capital-management || rpm -q openbaraza-human-capital-management || openbaraza-human-capital-management --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.1.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openbaraza-human-capital-management sudo apt install openbaraza-human-capital-management=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.1.6> sudo apt-mark hold openbaraza-human-capital-management

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list openbaraza-human-capital-management sudo dnf downgrade openbaraza-human-capital-management-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.1.6> sudo dnf versionlock add openbaraza-human-capital-management

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

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-2021-38619?

openbaraza human capital management: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-38619 being exploited?

CVE-2021-38619 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-2021-38619 affect?

CVE-2021-38619 affects openbaraza human capital management. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.1). openBaraza HCM 3.1.6 does not properly neutralize user-controllable input: an unauthenticated remote attacker can conduct a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against an administrative user from hr/subscription.jsp and hr/application.

How urgent is CVE-2021-38619?

Priority 47/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2021-38583 MEDIUM 6.1 DOWNGRADE openBaraza HCM 3.1.6 does not properly neutralize user-controllable input, which allows reflected cross-site s

References

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