# CVE-2021-38417: VISAM VBASE Editor Improper Access Control

> Unauthenticated attackers can view directory listings and access files in VISAM VBASE via the web-remote endpoint.

- **Severity:** High 7.4 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 27 Jul 2022
- **Updated:** 17 Apr 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-hjmg-3wv2-r885

## What is CVE-2021-38417?

CVE-2021-38417 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in VISAM VBASE Pro-RT/ Server-RT (Web Remote), published on 27 Jul 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

VISAM VBASE version 11.6.0.6 is vulnerable to improper access control via the web-remote endpoint, which may allow an unauthenticated user viewing access to folders and files in the directory listing.

Weakness: CWE-284 (Improper Access Control)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-38417?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Visam Vbase Web-Remote.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-38417?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-38417 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-38417 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-38417 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in VISAM VBASE Pro-RT/ Server-RT (Web Remote)

- [CVE-2021-42537](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42537/): VISAM VBASE Editor Improper Restriction of XML (medium 5.9)
- [CVE-2021-42535](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42535/): VISAM VBASE Editor Cross Site Scripting (medium 5.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-38417 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-38417 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in VISAM VBASE Pro-RT/ Server-RT (Web Remote), published on 27 Jul 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-38417 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: VISAM VBASE Pro-RT/ Server-RT (Web Remote). No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38417/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38417/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-38417
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-38417
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-38417

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38417/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.