CVE-2021-35942: The wordexp function in the GNU C Library (aka glibc) through 2.33 may crash or read arbitrary memory in parse_param (in posix/wordexp.c)…
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Monitor (action score 37/100)
- The sources we track (CISA KEV, Exploit-DB, Metasploit, Nuclei, GitHub) show no public exploit code or exploitation in the wild.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 2.7% (FIRST EPSS); higher than 86.4% of all records.
- Anyone who can reach it over the internet can trigger it. No account or password is required. No user action is required. No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
- According to CISA the attack is automatable: targets can be found by mass scanning.
- Fixed version: compat-libpthread-nonshared (AlmaLinux:8) 2.28-164.el8; glibc-benchtests (AlmaLinux:8) 2.28-164.el8; glibc-nss-devel (AlmaLinux:8) 2.28-164.el8.
- Mentioned 4 times in Turkish national cyber security advisories (siberguvenlik.gov.tr).
Low priority for now. Upgrade to compat-libpthread-nonshared (AlmaLinux:8) 2.28-164.el8; glibc-benchtests (AlmaLinux:8) 2.28-164.el8; glibc-nss-devel (AlmaLinux:8) 2.28-164.el8 or later.
Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it
Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · FIRST EPSS
The wordexp function in the GNU C Library (aka glibc) through 2.33 may crash or read arbitrary memory in parse_param (in posix/wordexp.c) when called with an untrusted, crafted pattern, potentially resulting in a denial of service or disclosure of information. This occurs because atoi was used but strtoul should have been used to ensure correct calculations.
- Published
- Jul 22, 2021
- Updated
- Oct 14, 2026
- EPSS
- 2.7% · 86th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-190
Report tools
Action score
37
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 36 / 40 · 9.1 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 1 / 30 · 2.7%
CISA SSVC decision
- Exploitation
- none
- Automatable
- yes
- Technical impact
- partial
Vulnrichment: CISA's decision-tree inputs.
CNA vs NVD score
- NVD
- 9.1
- CNA · mitre
- 9.1
- agree
The score given by the assigning authority versus NVD’s independent score. A gap means the severity is contested.
Get told when this record changes
- Not in KEV: no record of exploitation in the wild
- No public exploit code on record
- A fix has been released
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
Is your version affected? Check itNoroxi analysis
What does it mean in your environment?
The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
Is your version affected?
Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| gnu | glibc | cpe:2.3:a:gnu:glibc |
| netapp | active iq unified manager | cpe:2.3:a:netapp:active_iq_unified_manager |
| netapp | e-series santricity os controller | cpe:2.3:a:netapp:e-series_santricity_os_controller |
| netapp | hci management node | cpe:2.3:a:netapp:hci_management_node |
| netapp | ontap select deploy administration utility | cpe:2.3:a:netapp:ontap_select_deploy_administration_utility |
| netapp | solidfire | cpe:2.3:a:netapp:solidfire |
| debian | debian linux | cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux |
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- debian debian linux10.0
- gnu glibcbefore 2.31
- netapp active iq unified managerall versions
- netapp e-series santricity os controller11.0 and later · up to 11.70.1 inclusive
- netapp hci management nodeall versions
- netapp ontap select deploy administration utilityall versions
- netapp solidfireall versions
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux:8 | compat-libpthread-nonshared | before 2.28-164.el8 | 2.28-164.el8 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | glibc-benchtests | before 2.28-164.el8 | 2.28-164.el8 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | glibc-nss-devel | before 2.28-164.el8 | 2.28-164.el8 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | glibc-static | before 2.28-164.el8 | 2.28-164.el8 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | glibc-utils | before 2.28-164.el8 | 2.28-164.el8 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | nss_hesiod | before 2.28-164.el8 | 2.28-164.el8 |
| Debian:10 | glibc | before 2.28-10+deb10u2 | 2.28-10+deb10u2 |
| Debian:12 | glibc | before 2.31-13 | 2.31-13 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.2 | glibc | before 2.26-lp152.26.9.1 | 2.26-lp152.26.9.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.2 | glibc-testsuite-src | before 2.26-lp152.26.9.1 | 2.26-lp152.26.9.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.3 | glibc | before 2.31-9.3.2 | 2.31-9.3.2 |
| openSUSE:Tumbleweed | glibc | before 2.38-6.1 | 2.38-6.1 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream | compat-libpthread-nonshared | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream | glibc-debuginfo | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream | glibc-debuginfo-common | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream | glibc-utils | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | glibc | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | glibc-all-langpacks | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | glibc-common | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | glibc-devel | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | glibc-headers | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | glibc-langpack-aa | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | glibc-langpack-af | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | glibc-langpack-agr | before 0:2.28-164.el8 | 0:2.28-164.el8 |
+96
Same product
gnu: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2023-4911Glibc: buffer overflow in ld.so leading to privilege escalationKEV80Now
- CVE-2015-0235Heap-based buffer overflow in the __nss_hostname_digits_dots function in glibc 2.2, and other 2.x versions before 2.18, allows…68This week
- CVE-2015-7547Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the (1) send_dg and (2) send_vc functions in the libresolv library in the GNU C Library (aka glibc…60This week
Published before and after this one in the same product
- ← EarlierCVE-2020-27618Feb 26, 2021 · The iconv function in the GNU C Library (aka glibc or libc6) 2.32 and earlier, when processing invalid multi-byte input sequences in…22Monitor
- ← EarlierCVE-2021-33574May 25, 2021 · The mq_notify function in the GNU C Library (aka glibc) versions 2.32 and 2.33 has a use-after-free.40Plan
- Later →CVE-2021-38604Aug 12, 2021 · In librt in the GNU C Library (aka glibc) through 2.34, sysdeps/unix/sysv/linux/mq_notify.c mishandles certain NOTIFY_REMOVED data, leading…31Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| almalinux:compat-libpthread-nonshared | 2.28-164.el8 · AlmaLinux:8 | Package registry (OSV) |
| almalinux:glibc-benchtests | 2.28-164.el8 · AlmaLinux:8 | Package registry (OSV) |
| almalinux:glibc-nss-devel | 2.28-164.el8 · AlmaLinux:8 | Package registry (OSV) |
| almalinux:glibc-static | 2.28-164.el8 · AlmaLinux:8 | Package registry (OSV) |
| almalinux:glibc-utils | 2.28-164.el8 · AlmaLinux:8 | Package registry (OSV) |
| almalinux:nss_hesiod | 2.28-164.el8 · AlmaLinux:8 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:glibc | 2.31-13 · Debian:12 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:glibc | 2.26-lp152.26.9.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.2 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:glibc-testsuite-src | 2.26-lp152.26.9.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.2 | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:compat-libpthread-nonshared | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc-all-langpacks | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc-common | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc-debuginfo | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc-debuginfo-common | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc-devel | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc-headers | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc-langpack-aa | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc-langpack-af | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc-langpack-agr | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:glibc-utils | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream | Package registry (OSV) |
| rocky linux:glibc | 0:2.28-164.el8 · Rocky Linux:8 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:glibc | 2.11.3-17.110.37.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Point of Sale 11 SP3 | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
No known public exploit
No public exploit has been observed yet. That doesn't mean you're safe, only that the bar is a little higher.
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
No dated events beyond publication.
National notice (Türkiye Cybersecurity Directorate / USOM)
Official security notices citing this record; remediation advice is on the agency's page.
- TR-22-0222 · Mar 15, 2022(RedHat Güvenlik Güncellemesi)
- TR-22-0113 · Feb 4, 2022(RedHat Güvenlik Güncellemesi)
- TR-22-0097 · Jan 28, 2022(RedHat Güvenlik Güncellemesi)
- TR-21-0963 · Dec 2, 2021(RedHat Güvenlik Güncellemesi)
Not on record for this CVE: EPSS history · patch commit or PR link · researcher credit · variant or chain candidate · public bounty program.
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Anyone who can reach it over the internet can trigger it.
- No account or password is required.
- No user action is required.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- high · data can be read
- Integrity
- none
- Availability
- high · the service can be disrupted
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- None
- Availability impact
- High
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-190 · Integer Overflow or WraparoundCVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
nvd-primary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
ATT&CK techniques
—
Change log (1)
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
Show all references (7 more)Show less
- security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-24
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210827-0005/
- sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=28011
- sourceware.org/git/?p=glibc.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=5adda61f62b77384718b4c0d8336ade8f2b4b35c
- sourceware.org/glibc/wiki/Security%20Exceptions
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-398330.html
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-831302.html
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.