CVE-2021-38185

Name: CVE-2021-38185
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-08-08T00:15:07.027+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 4.15%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-38185 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. GNU cpio through 2.13 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted pattern file, because of a dstring.c ds_fgetstr integer overflow that triggers an out-of-bounds heap write. NOTE: it is unclear whether there are common cases where the pattern file, associated with the -E option, is untrusted data.. EPSS estimates a 4.15% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

GNU cpio through 2.13 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted pattern file, because of a dstring.c ds_fgetstr integer overflow that triggers an out-of-bounds heap write. NOTE: it is unclear whether there are common cases where the pattern file, associated with the -E option, is untrusted data.

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

4.15%

89.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnu	Cpio	<= 2.13

References

https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/cpio.git/commit/?id=dd96882877721703e19272fe25034560b794061bPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/fangqyi/cpiopwnExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/06/msg00007.html
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-cpio/2021-08/msg00000.htmlExploit, Mailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-cpio/2021-08/msg00002.htmlExploit, Mailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/cpio.git/commit/?id=dd96882877721703e19272fe25034560b794061bPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/fangqyi/cpiopwnExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/06/msg00007.html
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-cpio/2021-08/msg00000.htmlExploit, Mailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-cpio/2021-08/msg00002.htmlExploit, Mailing List, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 8, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-38185?

How severe is CVE-2021-38185?

CVE-2021-38185 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 4.15% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38185?

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-2021-38185?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST