Heap-based buffer overflow in Meta WhatsApp Desktop
Priority MEDIUM 45CWE-122Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-122 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
The calling logic for WhatsApp for Android prior to v2.21.23, WhatsApp Business for Android prior to v2.21.23, WhatsApp for iOS prior to v2.21.230, WhatsApp Business for iOS prior to v2.21.230, WhatsApp for KaiOS prior to v2.2143, WhatsApp Desktop prior to v2.2146 could have allowed an out-of-bounds write if a user makes a 1:1 call to a malicious actor.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.01283 70th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed WhatsApp Desktop (Facebook): v2.2146WhatsApp for KaiOS (Facebook): v2.2143+4 more products
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meta | WhatsApp Desktop | before v2.2146 | v2.2146 | Patch available | CNA |
| Meta | WhatsApp for KaiOS | before v2.2143 | v2.2143 | Patch available | CNA |
| Meta | WhatsApp Business for iOS | before v2.21.230 | v2.21.230 | Patch available | CNA |
| Meta | WhatsApp for iOS | before v2.21.230 | v2.21.230 | Patch available | CNA |
| Meta | WhatsApp Business for Android | before v2.21.23 | v2.21.23 | Patch available | CNA |
| Meta | WhatsApp for Android | before v2.21.23 | v2.21.23 | Patch available | CNA |
- WhatsApp Desktop VendorMeta Affected before v2.2146 Fixed in v2.2146 Patch available CNA
- WhatsApp for KaiOS VendorMeta Affected before v2.2143 Fixed in v2.2143 Patch available CNA
- WhatsApp Business for iOS VendorMeta Affected before v2.21.230 Fixed in v2.21.230 Patch available CNA
- WhatsApp for iOS VendorMeta Affected before v2.21.230 Fixed in v2.21.230 Patch available CNA
- WhatsApp Business for Android VendorMeta Affected before v2.21.23 Fixed in v2.21.23 Patch available CNA
- WhatsApp for Android VendorMeta Affected before v2.21.23 Fixed in v2.21.23 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 6
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:*:android:-:* | before 2.21.23 | Vulnerable | |
| cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:business:android:*:* | before 2.21.23 | Vulnerable | |
| cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:*:iphone_os:-:* | before 2.21.230 | Vulnerable | |
| cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:business:iphone_os:-:* | before 2.21.230 | Vulnerable | |
| cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:*:kaios:*:* | before 2.2143 | Vulnerable | |
| cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:desktop:-:*:* | before 2.2146 | Vulnerable |
- cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:*:android:-:* Versions before 2.21.23 Vulnerable ·WhatsApp
- cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:business:android:*:* Versions before 2.21.23 Vulnerable ·WhatsApp
- cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:*:iphone_os:-:* Versions before 2.21.230 Vulnerable ·WhatsApp
- cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:business:iphone_os:-:* Versions before 2.21.230 Vulnerable ·WhatsApp
- cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:*:kaios:*:* Versions before 2.2143 Vulnerable ·WhatsApp
- cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:desktop:-:*:* Versions before 2.2146 Vulnerable ·WhatsApp
Remediation
- Fix · CNA WhatsApp Desktop (Facebook) Fixed in v2.2146
- Fix · CNA WhatsApp for KaiOS (Facebook) Fixed in v2.2143
- Fix · CNA WhatsApp Business for iOS (Facebook) Fixed in v2.21.230
- Fix · CNA WhatsApp for iOS (Facebook) Fixed in v2.21.230
- Fix · CNA WhatsApp Business for Android (Facebook) Fixed in v2.21.23
- Fix · CNA WhatsApp for Android (Facebook) Fixed in v2.21.23
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-24042
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-mp5j-h5hx-cfxc
References
More Meta vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-34861 Deserialization of untrusted data in Meta react-server-dom-webpack KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2019-02633 Heap-based buffer overflow in Meta WhatsApp for Android KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2019-13416 Cross-site scripting in Meta WhatsApp Desktop KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.2
- TI-2023-23979 The HTTP/2 protocol allows a denial of service (server resource consumption) because… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2025-34857 Incorrect authorization in Meta WhatsApp Desktop for Mac KEVCVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.4
- TI-2025-34863 Deserialization of untrusted data in Meta react-server-dom-webpack CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
- CVE-2021-24042 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-24042 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-mp5j-h5hx-cfxc · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences