CVE-2021-41805: HashiCorp Consul Enterprise before 1.8.17, 1.9.x before 1.9.11, and 1.10.x before 1.10.4 has Incorrect Access

This week

HIGH 8.8UPGRADE

CVE-2021-41805 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting consul. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

HashiCorp Consul Enterprise before 1.8.17, 1.9.x before 1.9.11, and 1.10.x before 1.10.4 has Incorrect Access Control. An ACL token (with the default operator:write permissions) in one namespace can be used for unintended privilege escalation in a different namespace.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	34.8% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-863
Published	2021-12-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: hashicorp

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-12-12 05:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

hashicorp consul UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.7.0 and < 1.8.17 · >= 1.9.0 and < 1.9.11 · >= 1.10.0 and < 1.10.4

Fixed in: 1.8.17, 1.9.11, 1.10.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.7.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.8.17 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade consul

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade consul

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison consul sudo apt install consul=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.7.0> sudo apt-mark hold consul

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list consul sudo dnf downgrade consul-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add consul

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-2021-41805?

consul: upgrade to 1.8.17, 1.9.11, 1.10.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-41805 being exploited?

CVE-2021-41805 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-2021-41805 affect?

CVE-2021-41805 affects consul. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). HashiCorp Consul Enterprise before 1.8.17, 1.9.x before 1.9.11, and 1.10.x before 1.10.4 has Incorrect Access Control. An ACL token (with the default operator:write permissions) in one namespace can be used for unintended privilege escalati

How urgent is CVE-2021-41805?

Priority 55/100. High severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited

Software pages

Consul vulnerabilities

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References

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