#VU52794 Code Injection in ExifTool - CVE-2021-22204

Vulnerability identifier: #VU52794

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.6 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-22204

CWE-ID: CWE-94

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: Yes

Vulnerable software:
ExifTool
Universal components / Libraries / Libraries used by multiple products

Vendor: ExifTool

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation when parsing DjVu files in ExifTool. A remote attacker can pass a specially crafted file to the application and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

ExifTool: 7.44 - 12.23

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External links
https://github.com/exiftool/exiftool/commit/cf0f4e7dcd024ca99615bfd1102a841a25dde031#diff-fa0d652d10dbcd246e6b1df16c1e992931d3bb717a7e36157596b76bdadb3800
https://hackerone.com/reports/1154542
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2021/CVE-2021-22204.json

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.