HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2021-20271
HIGH

CVE-2021-20271

CWE-345Published: March 26, 2021· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.0
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

A flaw was found in RPM's signature check functionality when reading a package file. This flaw allows an attacker who can convince a victim to install a seemingly verifiable package, whose signature header was modified, to cause RPM database corruption and execute code. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data integrity, confidentiality, and system availability.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2021-20271 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.0.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityHigh
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

Fedora1 product(s)
fedora
Red Hat1 product(s)
enterprise linux
rpm1 product(s)
rpm
starwindsoftware1 product(s)
starwind virtual san
Source: NVD CPE · 8 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1934125
PATCHhttps://github.com/rpm-software-management/rpm/commit/d6a86b5e69e46cc283b1e06c92343319beb42e21
PATCHhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1934125
PATCHhttps://github.com/rpm-software-management/rpm/commit/d6a86b5e69e46cc283b1e06c92343319beb42e21
ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-43
ADVISORYhttps://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220805-0002/
ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-43
ADVISORYhttps://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220805-0002/

All References (14)

→
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1934125Issue Tracking · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/rpm-software-management/rpm/commit/d6a86b5e69e46cc283b1e06c92343319beb42e21Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/TMGXO3W6DHPO62GJ4VVF5DEUX5DRUR5K/
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VHRPNBCRPDJHHQE3MBPSZK4H7X2IM7AC/
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YILPBTPSBRYL4POBI3F4YUSVPSOQNJBY/
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-43Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220805-0002/Third Party Advisory
→
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1934125Issue Tracking · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/rpm-software-management/rpm/commit/d6a86b5e69e46cc283b1e06c92343319beb42e21Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/TMGXO3W6DHPO62GJ4VVF5DEUX5DRUR5K/
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VHRPNBCRPDJHHQE3MBPSZK4H7X2IM7AC/
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YILPBTPSBRYL4POBI3F4YUSVPSOQNJBY/
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-43Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220805-0002/Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2021-20271
CVSS Score7.0 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-345
CISA KEVNo
Affected4 vendor(s)
PublishedMar 26, 2021

Related CVEs (CWE-345)

CVE-2014-8165
10.0
CVE-2026-45674
10.0
CVE-2022-3703
10.0
CVE-2026-35051
10.0
CVE-2026-47691
10.0
CVE-2026-50195
9.9

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2021-20271 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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