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CVE Record

CVE-2021-37620: Out-of-bounds read in XmpTextValue::read()

Exiv2 is a command-line utility and C++ library for reading, writing, deleting, and modifying the metadata of image files. An out-of-bounds read was found in Exiv2 versions v0.27.4 and earlier. The out-of-bounds read is triggered when Exiv2 is used to read 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. The bug is fixed in version v0.27.5.

MediumCVSS 4.7Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Exiv2 can crash when it reads metadata from a specially crafted image. This affects Exiv2 0.27.4 and earlier and is fixed in 0.27.5. Business risk is mainly denial of service where systems or staff process untrusted image files.

Executive priority

Treat this as a moderate remediation item. It is unlikely to justify emergency response alone, but exposed image-processing workflows should be patched promptly because availability can be affected.

Technical view

CVE-2021-37620 is a CWE-125 out-of-bounds read in Exiv2 XmpTextValue::read(). Triggering requires Exiv2 to parse metadata from a crafted image, with user interaction and high attack complexity. The CVSS 3.1 score is 4.7, with high availability impact only.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on workstations, servers, or applications that use Exiv2 or libexiv2 to inspect image metadata, especially where untrusted images are accepted. The sources do not identify specific downstream products beyond Exiv2.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The described scenario requires convincing a victim or processing pipeline to run Exiv2 against a crafted image file.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on Exiv2 metadata parsing paths and package provenance. The public record names the vulnerable function, affected version range, CWE, CVSS vector, and fix version, but does not provide active exploitation evidence or complete downstream product coverage.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Exiv2 to version 0.27.5 or later.
  • Apply relevant distribution security updates from Fedora, Debian, Gentoo, or your vendor.
  • Avoid processing untrusted images with vulnerable Exiv2 versions.
  • Check vendor guidance where Exiv2 is bundled or statically linked.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Exiv2 and libexiv2 versions across endpoints, servers, and containers.
  • Flag installations running Exiv2 0.27.4 or earlier.
  • Identify workflows that parse metadata from user-supplied images.
  • Confirm OS package updates include the CVE-2021-37620 fix.
  • Review crash telemetry around image metadata processing for possible impact.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
8

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

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 · low confidence lookup

CWE-125: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-37620 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.7 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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
7Source 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
4.7CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H13.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.7Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-37620Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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-125

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

CWE-125 · source CWE mapping

Out-of-bounds Read

Out-of-bounds Read represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

Open CWE intelligenceSame-CWE CVEs