HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2021-22947
MEDIUM

CVE-2021-22947

CWE-310Published: September 29, 2021· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

5.9
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

When curl >= 7.20.0 and <= 7.78.0 connects to an IMAP or POP3 server to retrieve data using STARTTLS to upgrade to TLS security, the server can respond and send back multiple responses at once that curl caches. curl would then upgrade to TLS but not flush the in-queue of cached responses but instead continue using and trustingthe responses it got *before* the TLS handshake as if they were authenticated.Using this flaw, it allows a Man-In-The-Middle attacker to first inject the fake responses, then pass-through the TLS traffic from the legitimate server and trick curl into sending data back to the user thinking the attacker's injected data comes from the TLS-protected server.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2021-22947 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in full integrity compromise (data manipulation), with a CVSS base score of 5.9.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityHigh
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

Apple1 product(s)
macos
Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
Fedora1 product(s)
fedora
haxx1 product(s)
curl
netapp18 product(s)
cloud backupclustered data ontaph300s firmwareh300sh500s firmwareh500sh700s firmwareh700sh300e firmwareh300eh500e firmwareh500e+6
Oracle10 product(s)
communications cloud native core binding support functioncommunications cloud native core network function cloud native environmentcommunications cloud native core network repository functioncommunications cloud native core network slice selection functioncommunications cloud native core service communication proxymysql serverpeoplesoft enterprise peopletoolscommerce guided searchcommunications cloud native core consolecommunications cloud native core security edge protection proxy
siemens1 product(s)
sinec infrastructure network services
splunk1 product(s)
universal forwarder
Source: NVD CPE · 44 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
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Official Patches & Advisories

All References (30)

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2021-22947
CVSS Score5.9 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-310
CISA KEVNo
Affected8 vendor(s)
PublishedSep 29, 2021

Related CVEs (CWE-310)

Recommended Actions

  • Apply vendor patches immediately
  • Monitor CVE-2021-22947 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.