MEDIUM
CVE-2021-21285
CWE-400Published: February 2, 2021· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
6.5
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
In Docker before versions 9.03.15, 20.10.3 there is a vulnerability in which pulling an intentionally malformed Docker image manifest crashes the dockerd daemon. Versions 20.10.3 and 19.03.15 contain patches that prevent the daemon from crashing.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2021-21285 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
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 availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 6.5.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Affected Vendors & Products
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
All References (16)
→
https://docs.docker.com/engine/release-notes/#20103Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
→
https://github.com/moby/moby/commit/8d3179546e79065adefa67cc697c09d0ab137d30Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v19.03.15Release Notes · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v20.10.3Release Notes · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/moby/moby/security/advisories/GHSA-6fj5-m822-rqx8Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-23Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210226-0005/Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4865Third Party Advisory
→
https://docs.docker.com/engine/release-notes/#20103Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
→
https://github.com/moby/moby/commit/8d3179546e79065adefa67cc697c09d0ab137d30Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v19.03.15Release Notes · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v20.10.3Release Notes · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/moby/moby/security/advisories/GHSA-6fj5-m822-rqx8Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202107-23Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210226-0005/Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2021-21285
CVSS Score6.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-400
CISA KEVNo
Affected3 vendor(s)
PublishedFeb 2, 2021
Related CVEs (CWE-400)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2021-21285 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. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.