CVE-2021-43837: vault-cli is a configurable command-line interface tool (and python library) to interact with Hashicorp Vault

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-43837?

vault-cli: upgrade to 3.0.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-43837 being exploited?

CVE-2021-43837 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-2021-43837 affect?

CVE-2021-43837 affects vault-cli. Severity is high (CVSS 8.4). vault-cli is a configurable command-line interface tool (and python library) to interact with Hashicorp Vault. In versions before 3.0.0 vault-cli features the ability for rendering templated values. When a secret starts with the prefix `!te

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-43837?

Priority 58/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 8.4UPGRADE

CVE-2021-43837 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.4) affecting vault-cli. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

vault-cli is a configurable command-line interface tool (and python library) to interact with Hashicorp Vault. In versions before 3.0.0 vault-cli features the ability for rendering templated values. When a secret starts with the prefix `!template!`, vault-cli interprets the rest of the contents of the secret as a Jinja2 template. Jinja2 is a powerful templating engine and is not designed to safely render arbitrary templates. An attacker controlli

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.4 (High)
Attack vector	Adjacent network
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	5.2% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-74, CWE-94
Published	2021-12-16
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: vault-cli project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-12-16 19:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vault-cli project vault-cli UPGRADE

Affected: >= 0.7.0 and < 3.0.0

Fixed in: 3.0.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.7.0

1. Check installed version

pip show vault-cli

2. UPGRADE to 3.0.0

pip install --upgrade "vault-cli>=3.0.0"

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.7.0

pip index versions vault-cli pip install "vault-cli<0.7.0"

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-2021-43837?

vault-cli: upgrade to 3.0.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-43837 being exploited?

CVE-2021-43837 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-2021-43837 affect?

CVE-2021-43837 affects vault-cli. Severity is high (CVSS 8.4). vault-cli is a configurable command-line interface tool (and python library) to interact with Hashicorp Vault. In versions before 3.0.0 vault-cli features the ability for rendering templated values. When a secret starts with the prefix `!te

How urgent is CVE-2021-43837?

Priority 58/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Python vulnerabilities · HashiCorp Vault vulnerabilities

References

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