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CVE Record

CVE-2021-30184: GNU Chess 6.2.7 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted PGN (Portable Game Notation) data.

GNU Chess 6.2.7 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted PGN (Portable Game Notation) data. This is related to a buffer overflow in the use of a .tmp.epd temporary file in the cmd_pgnload and cmd_pgnreplay functions in frontend/cmd.cc.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

GNU Chess 6.2.7 can be compromised by a malicious PGN chess game file. If an affected system processes attacker-supplied PGN data, the flaw may allow arbitrary code execution in the context of the GNU Chess process.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority only for environments that use GNU Chess with untrusted PGN content. For most enterprises, exposure may be niche, but code execution from a crafted data file justifies prompt inventory and package remediation.

Technical view

CVE-2021-30184 is a buffer overflow tied to .tmp.epd temporary-file handling in frontend/cmd.cc, specifically cmd_pgnload and cmd_pgnreplay. The CVE description identifies GNU Chess 6.2.7 and crafted PGN data as the trigger. CVSS, CWE, and full affected-product metadata are not supplied.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where GNU Chess 6.2.7 or vulnerable distribution packages parse untrusted PGN files. Typical risk is local, batch, or service-side processing of user-supplied chess game data, not broad internet exposure unless an application feeds public PGN uploads into GNU Chess.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The bug class is serious because crafted input can reach memory corruption during PGN load or replay, but the bundle does not provide exploit maturity, prerequisites, or proof-of-concept details.

Researcher notes

The CVE record lacks CVSS, CWE, and precise affected CPEs. Analysis should stay anchored to GNU Chess 6.2.7, crafted PGN input, and cmd_pgnload/cmd_pgnreplay temporary-file overflow behavior. Do not assume other chess engines or frontends are affected without vendor evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify systems and containers running GNU Chess 6.2.7 or distro-packaged GNU Chess.
  • Apply vendor package updates from Fedora, Gentoo, Debian LTS, or your OS vendor.
  • Avoid processing untrusted PGN files until affected packages are updated.
  • Run GNU Chess with least privilege where PGN ingestion cannot be immediately stopped.
  • Check upstream GNU Chess guidance for exact fixed versions or source patches.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed GNU Chess versions across servers, workstations, and build images.
  • Review applications or scripts that call GNU Chess on user-supplied PGN files.
  • Confirm relevant OS security advisories are applied for each distribution.
  • Verify package manager history shows GNU Chess updated after applicable advisory release.
  • Document whether any service accepts public PGN uploads or attachments.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
9

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution 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.

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CVE-2021-30184 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

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.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
8Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.