CVE-2021-43496: Clustering master branch as of commit 53e663e259bcfc8cdecb56c0bb255bd70bfcaa70 is affected by a directory trav

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2021-43496 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting clustering. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Clustering master branch as of commit 53e663e259bcfc8cdecb56c0bb255bd70bfcaa70 is affected by a directory traversal vulnerability. This attack can cause the disclosure of critical secrets stored anywhere on the system and can significantly aid in getting remote code access.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	15.9% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2021-11-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: clustering project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-11-12 14:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

clustering project clustering DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2019-07-26

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2019-07-26

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2019-07-26 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison clustering sudo apt install clustering=<VERSION_BEFORE_2019-07-26> sudo apt-mark hold clustering

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

dnf --showduplicates list clustering sudo dnf downgrade clustering-<VERSION_BEFORE_2019-07-26> sudo dnf versionlock add clustering

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Nuclei scan template: Clustering Local File Inclusion

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-2021-43496?

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

Is CVE-2021-43496 being exploited?

CVE-2021-43496 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-2021-43496 affect?

CVE-2021-43496 affects clustering. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Clustering master branch as of commit 53e663e259bcfc8cdecb56c0bb255bd70bfcaa70 is affected by a directory traversal vulnerability. This attack can cause the disclosure of critical secrets stored anywhere on the system and can significantly

How urgent is CVE-2021-43496?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

← Back to latest CVEs