Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-29117 lets a malicious ArcReader file trigger memory corruption and run code as the signed-in user. It is not remotely exploitable without user interaction, but it can still compromise workstations that open untrusted GIS content.
Executive priority
Treat this as a workstation-risk patching item, especially for GIS teams receiving files from outside the organization. It warrants timely remediation, not emergency response, unless local telemetry shows suspicious ArcReader activity.
Technical view
Esri ArcReader 10.8.1 and earlier contain a CWE-416 use-after-free during specially crafted file parsing. CVSS 7.8 reflects local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, required user interaction, unchanged scope, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to endpoints where Esri ArcReader is installed and users open ArcReader-supported files from external or untrusted sources. The bundle does not identify server-side exposure or other Esri products.
Exploitation context
The sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. Practical exploitation requires delivering a specially crafted file and convincing a user to open it in a vulnerable ArcReader version.
Researcher notes
Key constraints are UI:R and AV:L, so validation should focus on installed desktop software, file-handling workflows, and patch state. The source bundle does not provide proof-of-concept details, observed exploitation, or expanded affected-product scope.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Esri's ArcReader security update or current vendor guidance.
- Inventory ArcReader installations and prioritize versions 10.8.1 and earlier.
- Limit opening ArcReader files from untrusted sources until patched.
- Retire or remove ArcReader where there is no business need.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether ArcReader is installed on managed endpoints.
- Check installed ArcReader versions against 10.8.1 and earlier.
- Verify Esri's security update is applied where ArcReader remains installed.
- Review endpoint telemetry for unusual ArcReader crashes or child processes.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-416: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-29117 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-desktop/administration/arcreader-general-data-frame-security-update/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.