CVE-2021-22204

MEDIUMCISA KEVEPSS 100th pctl

6.8

CVSS v3

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

CWE-94Code Injection

How to fix

Remediation Available

libimage-exiftool-perlDebian

Fixed in:12.16+dfsg-2CVE-2021-22204

libimage-exiftool-perlUbuntu

Fixed in:10.10-1ubuntu0.1~esm1USN-4987-2

Fixed in:10.80-1ubuntu0.1USN-4987-1

Fixed in:11.88-1ubuntu0.1USN-4987-1

TridentStack Control can deploy fixes like this automatically across your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet. See how it works

Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.

CVSS v3 Vector

Exploitability

Attack VectorLocal

Attack ComplexityLow

Privileges RequiredNone

User InteractionNone

ScopeChanged

Impact

ConfidentialityLow

IntegrityLow

AvailabilityLow

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

Exploit Intelligence

99.98%probability of exploitation in 30 days

100thpercentile

Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 100% of all known CVEs.

Known Exploited Vulnerability (CISA KEV)

ExifTool Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

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

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Remediation due: 2021-12-01

References

Patch1

github.com

Exploit5

Third-Party Advisory5

Government Resource1

cisa.gov

Release Notes3

Related Vulnerabilities

Other CWE-94 (Code Injection) vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all

CVE	Severity	CVSS	EPSS	Exploited	Fix
CVE-2017-9841	Critical	9.8	100%	KEV	Fix
CVE-2015-1635	Critical	9.8	100%	KEV	-
CVE-2025-3248	Critical	9.8	100%	KEV + Ransom	Fix
CVE-2022-22954	Critical	9.8	100%	KEV + Ransom	-
CVE-2012-0158	High	8.8	100%	KEV	-
CVE-2022-22963	Critical	9.8	100%	KEV	-

Common questions

How do I fix CVE-2021-22204?

Published advisories record a fix for 2 affected products. The "How to fix" section on this page lists the fixed version and source advisory for each one, so apply the entry matching what you actually run.

Is CVE-2021-22204 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2021-22204 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, which means exploitation has been observed in the wild. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 2021-12-01. Treat it as a priority whatever its CVSS score says.

How severe is CVE-2021-22204?

CVE-2021-22204 has a CVSS v3 base score of 6.8, rated medium. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.

What does CVE-2021-22204 affect?

Published advisories record a fix for libimage-exiftool-perl (Debian), libimage-exiftool-perl (Ubuntu). Only products with a sourced advisory are listed, so treat this as what we can cite rather than a complete inventory.

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This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2025-11-03.