CVE-2021-41278
Broken encryption in app-functions-sdk “AES” transform in EdgeX Foundry releases prior to Jakarta allows attackers to decrypt messages via unspecified vectors
Functions SDK for EdgeX is meant to provide all the plumbing necessary for developers to get started in processing/transforming/exporting data out of the EdgeX IoT platform. In affected versions broken encryption in app-functions-sdk “AES” transform in EdgeX Foundry releases prior to Jakarta allows attackers to decrypt messages via unspecified vectors. The app-functions-sdk exports an “aes” transform that user scripts can optionally call to encrypt data in the processing pipeline. No decrypt function is provided. Encryption is not enabled by default, but if used, the level of protection may be less than the user may expects due to a broken implementation. Version v2.1.0 (EdgeX Foundry Jakarta release and later) of app-functions-sdk-go/v2 deprecates the “aes” transform and provides an improved “aes256” transform in its place. The broken implementation will remain in a deprecated state until it is removed in the next EdgeX major release to avoid breakage of existing software that depends on the broken implementation. As the broken transform is a library function that is not invoked by default, users who do not use the AES transform in their processing pipelines are unaffected. Those that are affected are urged to upgrade to the Jakarta EdgeX release and modify processing pipelines to use the new "aes256" transform.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- Required
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- Low
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
5.4
Broken encryption in app-functions-sdk “AES” transform in EdgeX Foundry releases prior to Jakarta allows attackers to decrypt messages via unspecified vectors
Functions SDK for EdgeX is meant to provide all the plumbing necessary for developers to get started in processing/transforming/exporting data out of the EdgeX IoT platform. In affected versions broken encryption in app-functions-sdk “AES” transform in EdgeX Foundry releases prior to Jakarta allows attackers to decrypt messages via unspecified vectors. The app-functions-sdk exports an “aes” transform that user scripts can optionally call to encrypt data in the processing pipeline. No decrypt function is provided. Encryption is not enabled by default, but if used, the level of protection may be less than the user may expects due to a broken implementation. Version v2.1.0 (EdgeX Foundry Jakarta release and later) of app-functions-sdk-go/v2 deprecates the “aes” transform and provides an improved “aes256” transform in its place. The broken implementation will remain in a deprecated state until it is removed in the next EdgeX major release to avoid breakage of existing software that depends on the broken implementation. As the broken transform is a library function that is not invoked by default, users who do not use the AES transform in their processing pipelines are unaffected. Those that are affected are urged to upgrade to the Jakarta EdgeX release and modify processing pipelines to use the new "aes256" transform.
- Record
CVE-2021-41278- CVSS 3.0
- 5.4 Medium
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-327
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-2305
5.4
Functions SDK for EdgeX is meant to provide all the plumbing necessary for developers to get started in processing/transforming/exporting data out of the EdgeX IoT platform. In affected versions broken encryption in app-functions-sdk “AES” transform in EdgeX Foundry releases prior to Jakarta allows attackers to decrypt messages via unspecified vectors. The app-functions-sdk exports an “aes” transform that user scripts can optionally call to encrypt data in the processing pipeline. No decrypt function is provided. Encryption is not enabled by default, but if used, the level of protection may be less than the user may expects due to a broken implementation. Version v2.1.0 (EdgeX Foundry Jakarta release and later) of app-functions-sdk-go/v2 deprecates the “aes” transform and provides an improved “aes256” transform in its place. The broken implementation will remain in a deprecated state until it is removed in the next EdgeX major release to avoid breakage of existing software that depends on the broken implementation. As the broken transform is a library function that is not invoked by default, users who do not use the AES transform in their processing pipelines are unaffected. Those that are affected are urged to upgrade to the Jakarta EdgeX release and modify processing pipelines to use the new "aes256" transform.
- Record
EUVD-2021-2305- CVSS 3.0
- 5.4 Medium
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-6c7m-qwxj-mvhp
5.4
Broken encryption in EdgeX Foundry
Summary
Broken encryption in app-functions-sdk “AES” transform in EdgeX Foundry releases prior to Jakarta allows attackers to decrypt messages via unspecified vectors.
Detailed Description
The app-functions-sdk exports an “aes” transform that user scripts can optionally call to encrypt data in the processing pipeline. No decrypt function is provided. Encryption is not enabled by default, but if used, the level of protection may be less than the user may expects due to a broken implementation in https://github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go/blob/v1.0.0/pkg/transforms/encryption.go
Version v2.1.0 (EdgeX Foundry Jakarta release and later) of app-functions-sdk-go/v2 deprecates the “aes” transform and provides an improved “aes256” transform in its place. The broken implementation will remain in a deprecated state until it is removed in the next EdgeX major release to avoid breakage of existing software that depends on the broken implementation.
Impact
As the broken transform is a library function that is not invoked by default, users who do not use the AES transform in their processing pipelines are unaffected. Those that are affected are urged to upgrade to the Jakarta EdgeX release and modify processing pipelines to use the new "aes256" transform.
Vulnerable go modules
- github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go < v2.1.0
- github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go/v2 < v2.1.0
- github.com/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable < v2.1.0
Vulnerable containers
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable >= 2.0.0 < v2.1.0
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable-arm64 >= 2.0.0 < 2.1.0
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/docker-app-service-configurable < 2.0.0
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/docker-app-service-configurable-arm64 < 2.0.0
Vulnerable Snaps
- https://snapcraft.io/edgex-app-service-configurable >= 2.0.0 < 2.1.0
Patches
Upgrade to 2.1.0 version of app-functions-sdk-go/v2, app-service-configurable, and related docker containers shown below and modify user scripts to use the new "aes256" transform in place of the existing "aes" transform.
Patched go modules
- github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go/v2 v2.1.0
- github.com/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable v2.1.0
Modification of user scripts is necessary for full remediation.
Patched containers
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable:>=2.1.0
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable-arm64:>=2.1.0
Modification of user scripts is necessary for full remediation.
Patched Snaps
Modification of user scripts is necessary for full remediation.
Workarounds
If unable to upgrade, change the processing pipeline to use an HTTPS (TLS 1.3) endpoint to export and skip encryption.
References
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Contact us in the Slack #security channel
- Open an issue in edgex-go
- Email us at [email protected]
- Record
GHSA-6c7m-qwxj-mvhp- CVSS 3.0
- 5.4 Medium
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-327
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
5.7
Functions SDK for EdgeX is meant to provide all the plumbing necessary for developers to get started in processing/transforming/exporting data out of the EdgeX IoT platform. In affected versions broken encryption in app-functions-sdk “AES” transform in EdgeX Foundry releases prior to Jakarta allows attackers to decrypt messages via unspecified vectors. The app-functions-sdk exports an “aes” transform that user scripts can optionally call to encrypt data in the processing pipeline. No decrypt function is provided. Encryption is not enabled by default, but if used, the level of protection may be less than the user may expects due to a broken implementation. Version v2.1.0 (EdgeX Foundry Jakarta release and later) of app-functions-sdk-go/v2 deprecates the “aes” transform and provides an improved “aes256” transform in its place. The broken implementation will remain in a deprecated state until it is removed in the next EdgeX major release to avoid breakage of existing software that depends on the broken implementation. As the broken transform is a library function that is not invoked by default, users who do not use the AES transform in their processing pipelines are unaffected. Those that are affected are urged to upgrade to the Jakarta EdgeX release and modify processing pipelines to use the new "aes256" transform.
- Record
CVE-2021-41278- CVSS 3.1
- 5.7 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - CVSS 3.0
- 5.4 Medium
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N - CVSS 2.0
- 2.6 Low
AV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-327
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
5.7
Functions SDK for EdgeX is meant to provide all the plumbing necessary for developers to get started in processing/transforming/exporting data out of the EdgeX IoT platform. In affected versions broken encryption in app-functions-sdk “AES” transform in EdgeX Foundry releases prior to Jakarta allows attackers to decrypt messages via unspecified vectors. The app-functions-sdk exports an “aes” transform that user scripts can optionally call to encrypt data in the processing pipeline. No decrypt function is provided. Encryption is not enabled by default, but if used, the level of protection may be less than the user may expects due to a broken implementation. Version v2.1.0 (EdgeX Foundry Jakarta release and later) of app-functions-sdk-go/v2 deprecates the “aes” transform and provides an improved “aes256” transform in its place. The broken implementation will remain in a deprecated state until it is removed in the next EdgeX major release to avoid breakage of existing software that depends on the broken implementation. As the broken transform is a library function that is not invoked by default, users who do not use the AES transform in their processing pipelines are unaffected. Those that are affected are urged to upgrade to the Jakarta EdgeX release and modify processing pipelines to use the new "aes256" transform.
- Record
CVE-2021-41278- CVSS 3.1
- 5.7 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-6c7m-qwxj-mvhp
5.4
Broken encryption in EdgeX Foundry
Summary
Broken encryption in app-functions-sdk “AES” transform in EdgeX Foundry releases prior to Jakarta allows attackers to decrypt messages via unspecified vectors.
Detailed Description
The app-functions-sdk exports an “aes” transform that user scripts can optionally call to encrypt data in the processing pipeline. No decrypt function is provided. Encryption is not enabled by default, but if used, the level of protection may be less than the user may expects due to a broken implementation in https://github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go/blob/v1.0.0/pkg/transforms/encryption.go
Version v2.1.0 (EdgeX Foundry Jakarta release and later) of app-functions-sdk-go/v2 deprecates the “aes” transform and provides an improved “aes256” transform in its place. The broken implementation will remain in a deprecated state until it is removed in the next EdgeX major release to avoid breakage of existing software that depends on the broken implementation.
Impact
As the broken transform is a library function that is not invoked by default, users who do not use the AES transform in their processing pipelines are unaffected. Those that are affected are urged to upgrade to the Jakarta EdgeX release and modify processing pipelines to use the new "aes256" transform.
Vulnerable go modules
- github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go < v2.1.0
- github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go/v2 < v2.1.0
- github.com/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable < v2.1.0
Vulnerable containers
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable >= 2.0.0 < v2.1.0
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable-arm64 >= 2.0.0 < 2.1.0
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/docker-app-service-configurable < 2.0.0
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/docker-app-service-configurable-arm64 < 2.0.0
Vulnerable Snaps
- https://snapcraft.io/edgex-app-service-configurable >= 2.0.0 < 2.1.0
Patches
Upgrade to 2.1.0 version of app-functions-sdk-go/v2, app-service-configurable, and related docker containers shown below and modify user scripts to use the new "aes256" transform in place of the existing "aes" transform.
Patched go modules
- github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go/v2 v2.1.0
- github.com/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable v2.1.0
Modification of user scripts is necessary for full remediation.
Patched containers
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable:>=2.1.0
- https://hub.docker.com/r/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurable-arm64:>=2.1.0
Modification of user scripts is necessary for full remediation.
Patched Snaps
Modification of user scripts is necessary for full remediation.
Workarounds
If unable to upgrade, change the processing pipeline to use an HTTPS (TLS 1.3) endpoint to export and skip encryption.
References
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Contact us in the Slack #security channel
- Open an issue in edgex-go
- Email us at [email protected]
- Record
GHSA-6c7m-qwxj-mvhp- CVSS 3.0
- 5.4 Medium
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-327
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go/v2Go |
before 2.1.0 | 2.1.0 |
github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-goGo |
before 2.1.0 | 2.1.0 |
github.com/edgexfoundry/app-service-configurableGo |
before 2.1.0 | 2.1.0 |
github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-goGo |
All versions | None known |
Public exploits
Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.
| Source | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|
| PoC in GitHub | FDlucifer/CVE-2021-41278 | 2021-11-22 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV, PoC in GitHub |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2021-41278 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 5.4) in Edgexfoundry App-functions-sdk-go, published November 18, 2021. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.36%, the 30th percentile. Fixed in github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go/v2 2.1.0.
References
github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go/security/advisories/GHSA-6c7m-qwxj-mvhp
github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go/commit/8fa13c6388ce76a6b878b54490eac61aa7d81165
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-41278
github.com/advisories/GHSA-6c7m-qwxj-mvhp
github.com/edgexfoundry/app-functions-sdk-go