CVE-2021-22204

Name: CVE-2021-22204
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-04-23T18:15:08.127+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 99.98%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-22204 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Improper neutralization of user data in the DjVu file format in ExifTool versions 7.44 and up allows arbitrary code execution when parsing the malicious image. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 99.98% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Improper neutralization of user data in the DjVu file format in ExifTool versions 7.44 and up allows arbitrary code execution when parsing the malicious image

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

99.98%

100.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Dec 1, 2021.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Exiftool Project	Exiftool	>= 7.44, < 12.24
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0
Fedoraproject	Fedora	32
Fedoraproject	Fedora	33
Fedoraproject	Fedora	34

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162558/ExifTool-DjVu-ANT-Perl-Injection.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164768/GitLab-Unauthenticated-Remote-ExifTool-Command-Injection.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164994/GitLab-13.10.2-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167038/ExifTool-12.23-Arbitrary-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/05/09/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/05/10/5Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/exiftool/exiftool/commit/cf0f4e7dcd024ca99615bfd1102a841a25dde031#diff-fa0d652d10dbcd246e6b1df16c1e992931d3bb717a7e36157596b76bdadb3800Patch
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2021/CVE-2021-22204.jsonThird Party Advisory
https://hackerone.com/reports/1154542Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/05/msg00018.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DDKDLJLBTBBR66OOPXSXCG2PQRM5KCZL/Release Notes
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/F6UOBPU3LSHAPRRJNISNVXZ5DSUIALLV/Release Notes
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/U4RF6PJCJ6NQOVJJJF6HN6BORUQVIXY6/Release Notes
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4910Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162558/ExifTool-DjVu-ANT-Perl-Injection.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164768/GitLab-Unauthenticated-Remote-ExifTool-Command-Injection.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164994/GitLab-13.10.2-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167038/ExifTool-12.23-Arbitrary-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/05/09/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/05/10/5Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/exiftool/exiftool/commit/cf0f4e7dcd024ca99615bfd1102a841a25dde031#diff-fa0d652d10dbcd246e6b1df16c1e992931d3bb717a7e36157596b76bdadb3800Patch
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2021/CVE-2021-22204.jsonThird Party Advisory
https://hackerone.com/reports/1154542Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/05/msg00018.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DDKDLJLBTBBR66OOPXSXCG2PQRM5KCZL/Release Notes
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/F6UOBPU3LSHAPRRJNISNVXZ5DSUIALLV/Release Notes
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/U4RF6PJCJ6NQOVJJJF6HN6BORUQVIXY6/Release Notes
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4910Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22204US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Apr 23, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-22204?

Improper neutralization of user data in the DjVu file format in ExifTool versions 7.44 and up allows arbitrary code execution when parsing the malicious image

How severe is CVE-2021-22204?

CVE-2021-22204 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 99.98% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2021-22204?

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-2021-22204?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST