CVE-2021-36738Network attack vector

Browser script execution via unneutralized JSP input

Published Jan 6, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Cross-site scripting in Apache Pluto Applicant MVCBean CDI portlet 3.1.0 allows remote attackers to execute script via crafted input fields. The JSP view renders submitted field values into the response without neutralizing script-capable markup, although Apache does not identify the exact file or expression. Exploitation requires victim interaction, and the script executes in the victim's browser context with access to data and actions permitted by the affected origin.

CVSS severity6.1
Medium
EPSS probability2.33%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Cross-site scripting in Apache Pluto Applicant MVCBean CDI portlet 3.1.0 allows remote attackers to execute script via crafted input fields. The JSP view renders submitted field values into the response without neutralizing script-capable markup, although Apache does not identify the exact file or expression. Exploitation requires victim interaction, and the script executes in the victim's browser context with access to data and actions permitted by the affected origin.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-36738
Published
Jan 6, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Portals
Classifications
CWE-79
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 6, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=org.apache.portals.pluto.demo:applicant-mvcbean-cdi-jsp-portlet 3.1.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Portalsversion=org.apache.portals.pluto.demo:applicant-mvcbean-cdi-jsp-portlet 3.1.0

Published CVSS scores

4.3NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
6.1NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-79Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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