Out-of-bounds read in rpm
Priority LOW 26CWE-125Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 2 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-125 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
A flaw was found in RPM's hdrblobInit() in lib/header.c. This flaw allows an attacker who can modify the rpmdb to cause an out-of-bounds read. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.01639 76th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Red Hat: 1 advisoryRed Hat: 2 fixed, 2 without a fix
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | rpm | rpm 4.17.0 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- rpm Vendor— Affected rpm 4.17.0 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 3
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:rpm:rpm:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 4.16.1.3 | Vulnerable | Rpm |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 33 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:34:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 34 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
- cpe:2.3:a:rpm:rpm:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 4.16.1.3 Vulnerable ·Rpm
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 33 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:34:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 34 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2021:4489 Released 2021-11-09 · Red Hat rating Lowrpm security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) rpm-build-4.14.3-19.el8, rpm-plugin-fapolicyd-4.14.3-19.el8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) python3-rpm-4.14.3-19.el8, rpm-4.14.3-19.el8, rpm-apidocs-4.14.3-19.el8 +10
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:4489 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:4489 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-20266
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-8vf3-43pf-v3cq
References
Advisory 1
Sources
- CVE-2021-20266 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-20266 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-8vf3-43pf-v3cq · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2021-20266 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences