CVE-2021-41189: DSpace is an open source turnkey repository application

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HIGH 7.2DOWNGRADE

CVE-2021-41189 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.2) affecting dspace. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

DSpace is an open source turnkey repository application. In version 7.0, any community or collection administrator can escalate their permission up to become system administrator. This vulnerability only exists in 7.0 and does not impact 6.x or below. This issue is patched in version 7.1. As a workaround, users of 7.0 may temporarily disable the ability for community or collection administrators to manage permissions or workflows settings.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.2 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.1% (top 19%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-863
Published	2021-10-29
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: duraspace

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-10-29 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

duraspace dspace DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy dspace || rpm -q dspace || dspace --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison dspace sudo apt install dspace=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo apt-mark hold dspace

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

dnf --showduplicates list dspace sudo dnf downgrade dspace-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add dspace

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-2021-41189?

dspace: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-41189 being exploited?

CVE-2021-41189 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-2021-41189 affect?

CVE-2021-41189 affects dspace. Severity is high (CVSS 7.2). DSpace is an open source turnkey repository application. In version 7.0, any community or collection administrator can escalate their permission up to become system administrator. This vulnerability only exists in 7.0 and does not impact 6.

How urgent is CVE-2021-41189?

Priority 51/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-61190 MEDIUM 6.1 DOWNGRADE A Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been identified in DSpace JSPUI 6.5 within the search
CVE-2022-31195 HIGH 7.2 UPGRADE DSpace open source software is a repository application which provides durable access to digital resources
CVE-2022-31194 HIGH 8.2 UPGRADE DSpace open source software is a repository application which provides durable access to digital resources
CVE-2022-31193 HIGH 7.1 UPGRADE DSpace open source software is a repository application which provides durable access to digital resources
CVE-2022-31192 HIGH 7.1 UPGRADE DSpace open source software is a repository application which provides durable access to digital resources

References

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