CVE-2021-21285

Name: CVE-2021-21285
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-02-02T18:15:12.203+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.5/10EPSS 3.29%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-21285 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.5/10 on the CVSS scale. In Docker before versions 9.03.15, 20.10.3 there is a vulnerability in which pulling an intentionally malformed Docker image manifest crashes the dockerd daemon. Versions 20.10.3 and 19.03.15 contain patches that prevent the daemon from crashing.. EPSS estimates a 3.29% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In Docker before versions 9.03.15, 20.10.3 there is a vulnerability in which pulling an intentionally malformed Docker image manifest crashes the dockerd daemon. Versions 20.10.3 and 19.03.15 contain patches that prevent the daemon from crashing.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

3.29%

86.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Docker	Docker	< 19.03.15
Docker	Docker	>= 20.0.0, < 20.10.3
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0
Netapp	E-Series Santricity Os Controller	>= 11.0, <= 11.60.3

References

https://docs.docker.com/engine/release-notes/#20103Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/moby/moby/commit/8d3179546e79065adefa67cc697c09d0ab137d30Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v19.03.15Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v20.10.3Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/moby/moby/security/advisories/GHSA-6fj5-m822-rqx8Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-23Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210226-0005/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4865Third Party Advisory
https://docs.docker.com/engine/release-notes/#20103Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/moby/moby/commit/8d3179546e79065adefa67cc697c09d0ab137d30Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v19.03.15Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v20.10.3Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/moby/moby/security/advisories/GHSA-6fj5-m822-rqx8Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-23Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210226-0005/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4865Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Feb 2, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-21285?

How severe is CVE-2021-21285?

CVE-2021-21285 has a CVSS score of 6.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 3.29% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-21285?

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-2021-21285?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST