CVE-2021-44216: Northern.tech CFEngine Enterprise before 3.15.5 and 3.18.x before 3.18.1 has Insecure Permissions that may all

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5UPGRADE

CVE-2021-44216 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting cfengine. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Northern.tech CFEngine Enterprise before 3.15.5 and 3.18.x before 3.18.1 has Insecure Permissions that may allow unauthorized local users to access the Apache and Mission Portal log files.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 70%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-276
Published	2022-03-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: northern.tech

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-03-10 17:44 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:12 UTCUpdated Record last modified

northern.tech cfengine UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.15.5 · >= 3.18.0 and < 3.18.1

Fixed in: 3.15.5, 3.18.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.18.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 3.15.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade cfengine

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 3.18.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cfengine sudo apt install cfengine=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.18.0> sudo apt-mark hold cfengine

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

dnf --showduplicates list cfengine sudo dnf downgrade cfengine-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.18.0> sudo dnf versionlock add cfengine

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-2021-44216?

cfengine: upgrade to 3.15.5, 3.18.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-44216 being exploited?

CVE-2021-44216 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-2021-44216 affect?

CVE-2021-44216 affects cfengine. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Northern.tech CFEngine Enterprise before 3.15.5 and 3.18.x before 3.18.1 has Insecure Permissions that may allow unauthorized local users to access the Apache and Mission Portal log files.

How urgent is CVE-2021-44216?

Priority 32/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-24712 HIGH 7.3 UPGRADE Northern.tech CFEngine Enterprise and Community before 3.21.8, 3.24.3, and 3.27.0 allows Command injection.
CVE-2026-24711 MEDIUM 5.3 UPGRADE Northern.tech CFEngine Enterprise before 3.21.8, 3.24.3, and 3.27.0 has Incorrect Access Control.
CVE-2026-24710 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE Northern.tech CFEngine Enterprise before 3.21.8, 3.24.3, and 3.27.0 allows XSS.
CVE-2023-45684 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Northern.tech CFEngine Enterprise before 3.21.3 allows SQL Injection
CVE-2023-26560 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE Northern.tech CFEngine Enterprise before 3.21.1 allows a subset of authenticated users to leverage the Schedul

References

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