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CVE Record

CVE-2021-37616: Null pointer dereference in Exiv2::Internal::resolveLens0x8ff

Exiv2 is a command-line utility and C++ library for reading, writing, deleting, and modifying the metadata of image files. A null pointer dereference was found in Exiv2 versions v0.27.4 and earlier. The null pointer dereference is triggered when Exiv2 is used to print the metadata of a crafted image file. An attacker could potentially exploit the vulnerability to cause a denial of service, if they can trick the victim into running Exiv2 on a crafted image file. Note that this bug is only triggered when printing the interpreted (translated) data, which is a less frequently used Exiv2 operation that requires an extra command line option (`-p t` or `-P t`). The bug is fixed in version v0.27.5.

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This vulnerability can make Exiv2 crash when it prints translated metadata from a specially crafted image. The business impact is availability, not data theft or code execution, based on the supplied sources. Risk is mainly for workflows or users that process untrusted images with the affected Exiv2 feature enabled.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate availability issue. Patch during normal vulnerability remediation, faster for automated image-processing systems that accept untrusted files. It does not warrant emergency response unless a critical service depends on the affected Exiv2 mode.

Technical view

CVE-2021-37616 is a CWE-476 null pointer dereference in Exiv2::Internal::resolveLens0x8ff affecting Exiv2 v0.27.4 and earlier. It is triggered by printing interpreted metadata from a crafted image, specifically with translated output options such as -p t or -P t. The issue is fixed in v0.27.5.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where Exiv2 v0.27.4 or earlier is installed directly, packaged by a Linux distribution, or embedded in image metadata processing workflows that handle untrusted files and request translated metadata output.

Exploitation context

The supplied sources do not show KEV listing or active exploitation. Exploitation requires a crafted image and user or workflow interaction that runs Exiv2 in the affected metadata printing mode. The expected impact is denial of service through process crash.

Researcher notes

The key exposure condition is narrow: crafted image input plus interpreted metadata printing. CVSS 3.1 is 5.5 with local attack vector, required user interaction, and high availability impact only. The supplied evidence supports a fixed upstream version but not active exploitation.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Exiv2 to v0.27.5 or later.
  • Apply fixed Fedora, Gentoo, or other distribution packages where applicable.
  • Avoid translated metadata printing on untrusted images until patched.
  • Check vendor advisories for backported fixed versions.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed Exiv2 versions and embedded Exiv2 library usage.
  • Confirm affected systems are above v0.27.4 or vendor-patched.
  • Review jobs, scripts, and services for translated metadata output usage.
  • Prioritize workflows that process externally supplied image files.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
7

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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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-476: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-37616 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.5Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-37616Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Exiv2exiv2<= 0.27.4Listed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-476

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

CWE-476 · source CWE mapping

NULL Pointer Dereference

NULL Pointer Dereference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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