CVE-2021-41146

Name: CVE-2021-41146
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-10-21T18:15:10.303+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 1.45%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-41146 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. qutebrowser is an open source keyboard-focused browser with a minimal GUI. Starting with qutebrowser v1.7.0, the Windows installer for qutebrowser registers a `qutebrowserurl:` URL handler. EPSS estimates a 1.45% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

qutebrowser is an open source keyboard-focused browser with a minimal GUI. Starting with qutebrowser v1.7.0, the Windows installer for qutebrowser registers a `qutebrowserurl:` URL handler. With certain applications, opening a specially crafted `qutebrowserurl:...` URL can lead to execution of qutebrowser commands, which in turn allows arbitrary code execution via commands such as `:spawn` or `:debug-pyeval`. Only Windows installs where qutebrowser is registered as URL handler are affected. The issue has been fixed in qutebrowser v2.4.0. The fix also adds additional hardening for potential similar issues on Linux (by adding the new --untrusted-args flag to the .desktop file), though no such vulnerabilities are known.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

1.45%

70.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Qutebrowser	Qutebrowser	<= 1.7.0
Qutebrowser	Qutebrowser	>= 2.0.0, < 2.4.0

References

https://github.com/qutebrowser/qutebrowser/commit/8f46ba3f6dc7b18375f7aa63c48a1fe461190430Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/qutebrowser/qutebrowser/security/advisories/GHSA-vw27-fwjf-5qxmThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/qutebrowser/qutebrowser/commit/8f46ba3f6dc7b18375f7aa63c48a1fe461190430Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/qutebrowser/qutebrowser/security/advisories/GHSA-vw27-fwjf-5qxmThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 21, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-41146?

How severe is CVE-2021-41146?

CVE-2021-41146 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.45% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-41146?

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-2021-41146?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST