CVE-2021-44850

Name: CVE-2021-44850
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2022-02-10T19:15:09.273+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.8/10EPSS 0.18%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-44850 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.8/10 on the CVSS scale. On Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC devices, physical modification of an SD boot image allows for a buffer overflow attack in the ROM. Because the Zynq-7000's boot image header is unencrypted and unauthenticated before use, an attacker can modify the boot header stored on an SD card so that a secure image appears to be unencrypted, and they will be able to modify the full range of register initialization values. EPSS estimates a 0.18% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

On Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC devices, physical modification of an SD boot image allows for a buffer overflow attack in the ROM. Because the Zynq-7000's boot image header is unencrypted and unauthenticated before use, an attacker can modify the boot header stored on an SD card so that a secure image appears to be unencrypted, and they will be able to modify the full range of register initialization values. Normally, these registers will be restricted when booting securely. Of importance to this attack are two registers that control the SD card's transfer type and transfer size. These registers could be modified a way that causes a buffer overflow in the ROM.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.18%

8.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-345

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Amd	Xilinx Z-7012s Firmware	All versions
Amd	Xilinx Z-7014s Firmware	All versions
Amd	Xilinx Z-7010 Firmware	All versions
Amd	Xilinx Z-7015 Firmware	All versions
Amd	Xilinx Z-7020 Firmware	All versions
Amd	Xilinx Z-7030 Firmware	All versions
Amd	Xilinx Z-7035 Firmware	All versions
Amd	Xilinx Z-7045 Firmware	All versions
Amd	Xilinx Z-7100 Firmware	All versions
Amd	Xilinx Z-7007s Firmware	All versions

References

https://support.xilinx.com/s/article/47915Vendor Advisory
https://support.xilinx.com/s/article/76964Vendor Advisory
https://support.xilinx.com/s/article/47915Vendor Advisory
https://support.xilinx.com/s/article/76964Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Feb 10, 2022
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-44850?

How severe is CVE-2021-44850?

CVE-2021-44850 has a CVSS score of 6.8/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.18% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-44850?

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-2021-44850?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST