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CVE-2021-45943: GDAL 3.3.0 through 3.4.0 has a heap-based buffer overflow in PCIDSK::CPCIDSKFile::ReadFromFile (called from...

GDAL 3.3.0 through 3.4.0 has a heap-based buffer overflow in PCIDSK::CPCIDSKFile::ReadFromFile (called from PCIDSK::CPCIDSKSegment::ReadFromFile and PCIDSK::CPCIDSKBinarySegment::CPCIDSKBinarySegment).

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

GDAL versions 3.3.0 through 3.4.0 contain a heap buffer overflow when reading PCIDSK data. For organizations, the main risk is systems that process untrusted geospatial files. Public sources show fixes and downstream security updates, but do not show confirmed active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted patching priority for geospatial processing environments, especially where outside files are parsed. It is not supported as an emergency active-exploitation item by the supplied evidence.

Technical view

The flaw is in PCIDSK::CPCIDSKFile::ReadFromFile, reached through PCIDSK segment parsing. It is a heap-based buffer overflow in GDAL 3.3.0 through 3.4.0. The source bundle references an OSS-Fuzz finding, an OSGeo fix commit and pull request, and Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, and Oracle advisories.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where GDAL 3.3.0 through 3.4.0 is installed and used to parse PCIDSK or other geospatial inputs supplied by users, partners, automation pipelines, or public datasets.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not in CISA KEV, and the provided sources do not claim active exploitation. Because this is memory corruption in a file parsing path, risk increases when affected GDAL processes untrusted files.

Researcher notes

Evidence is strong for affected GDAL versions and patched upstream code. The bundle lacks CVSS, CWE mapping, exploit status, and detailed impact language, so conclusions about code execution or exploitability should remain cautious.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade GDAL using OSGeo or operating-system vendor security updates.
  • Prioritize internet-facing or automated file-processing pipelines first.
  • Restrict ingestion of untrusted PCIDSK/geospatial files until patched.
  • Check Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, Oracle, or platform-specific advisories for fixed packages.
  • Avoid assuming compensating controls replace patching without vendor confirmation.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed GDAL versions across servers, containers, desktops, and build images.
  • Identify applications that call GDAL on externally supplied geospatial files.
  • Confirm GDAL is not version 3.3.0 through 3.4.0 after patching.
  • Review package manager security advisories for applied GDAL fixes.
  • Check logs and workflows for unexpected crashes during geospatial file ingestion.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
12

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

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CVE-2021-45943 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
12Source 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.