CVE-2021-20197

Name: CVE-2021-20197
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-03-26T17:15:12.92+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.3/10EPSS 0.31%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-20197 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.3/10 on the CVSS scale. There is an open race window when writing output in the following utilities in GNU binutils version 2.35 and earlier:ar, objcopy, strip, ranlib. When these utilities are run as a privileged user (presumably as part of a script updating binaries across different users), an unprivileged user can trick these utilities into getting ownership of arbitrary files through a symlink.. EPSS estimates a 0.31% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

There is an open race window when writing output in the following utilities in GNU binutils version 2.35 and earlier:ar, objcopy, strip, ranlib. When these utilities are run as a privileged user (presumably as part of a script updating binaries across different users), an unprivileged user can trick these utilities into getting ownership of arbitrary files through a symlink.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.3/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

EPSS Probability

0.31%

22.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnu	Binutils	<= 2.35
Redhat	Enterprise Linux	8.0
Netapp	Cloud Backup	All versions
Netapp	Ontap Select Deploy Administration Utility	All versions
Netapp	Solidfire \& Hci Management Node	All versions
Broadcom	Brocade Fabric Operating System Firmware	All versions

References

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1913743Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-30Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210528-0009/Third Party Advisory
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=26945Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1913743Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-30Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210528-0009/Third Party Advisory
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=26945Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Mar 26, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-20197?

How severe is CVE-2021-20197?

CVE-2021-20197 has a CVSS score of 6.3/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.31% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-20197?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-20197?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST