Vulnerability record

CVE-2021-38153

A permanent, source-backed tracker page. Values are shown only when returned; explicit gaps and read failures remain different states.

Full record read. Reported values and explicit gaps below come from the tracked record. Tracker snapshot: Aug 8, 2026.

What it is

Reported

Some components in Apache Kafka use `Arrays.equals` to validate a password or key, which is vulnerable to timing attacks that make brute force attacks for such credentials more likely to be successful. Users should upgrade to 2.8.1 or higher, or 3.0.0 or higher where this vulnerability has been fixed. The affected versions include Apache Kafka 2.0.0, 2.0.1, 2.1.0, 2.1.1, 2.2.0, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.3.0, 2.3.1, 2.4.0, 2.4.1, 2.5.0, 2.5.1, 2.6.0, 2.6.1, 2.6.2, 2.7.0, 2.7.1, and 2.8.0. Source description excerpt; complete tracked detail loads below.

NVD published: Sep 22, 2021 · Source record updated: Aug 8, 2026 · Tracker snapshot: Aug 8, 2026

What is affected

Reported

Apache — kafka. Product-level identification only; no affected-version conclusion is available from this field.

NVD published: Sep 22, 2021 · Source record updated: Aug 8, 2026 · Tracker snapshot: Aug 8, 2026

Urgency and basis

Reported

Act · 450.8

Tracker decision tier from the evidence detailed below · Source record updated: Aug 8, 2026 · Tracker snapshot: Aug 8, 2026

Exploitation evidence

Reported

kev-listed · VulnCheck KEV

VulnCheck KEV added: Apr 11, 2023 · Source record updated: Aug 8, 2026 · Tracker snapshot: Aug 8, 2026

What to do

Reported

Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.

Source remediation ↗

Tracked source remediation field · Source record updated: Aug 8, 2026 · Tracker snapshot: Aug 8, 2026

Evidence detail

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