Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-42523 describes information disclosure issues in colord 1.4.4 and 1.4.5. The reported problem is improper release of error-message memory after database operations. The public bundle does not provide CVSS, confirmed exploit activity, or a named patch.
Executive priority
Treat as a tracking item unless affected versions are present. Business urgency is constrained by missing severity data and no evidence of active exploitation, but affected assets should still follow normal patch governance once vendor fixes are identified.
Technical view
The source identifies two CWE-200 issues in colord: one in src/cd-device-db.c and one in src/cd-profile-db.c. The described flaw involves err_msg from sqlite3_exec not being released after use. Impact details, disclosure path, and triggering conditions are not fully documented in the provided sources.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to environments running colord versions 1.4.4 or 1.4.5. The bundle provides no CPEs, deployment scope, or downstream distribution package mapping, so teams should validate using package inventories and vendor advisories.
Exploitation context
The source bundle marks KEV as false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation or public weaponization. The available description is sparse and does not establish practical exploitability or attacker prerequisites.
Researcher notes
Evidence is incomplete. The description names affected versions, files, and a memory-release issue tied to sqlite3_exec error handling, but it does not explain the information disclosure mechanism, required privileges, or reachable attack surface.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory systems for colord 1.4.4 and 1.4.5.
- Check upstream and distribution vendor guidance for fixed colord packages.
- Prioritize remediation where colord runs on managed endpoints or shared systems.
- Monitor vendor advisories for clarified impact and fix availability.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed colord package versions across endpoint and server inventories.
- Review vendor package changelogs for CVE-2021-42523 references.
- Verify whether affected source files are present in deployed builds.
- Document any compensating controls or vendor statements found.
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
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CWE-200: Information exposure and cloud metadata lookup
Information exposure and SSRF weaknesses can make discovery, cloud metadata, and credential material review relevant. 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 lookupCVE-2021-42523 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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 and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/hughsie/colord/issues/110CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
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.
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.