HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2021-42694
HIGH

CVE-2021-42694

NVD-CWE-OtherPublished: November 1, 2021· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

8.3
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

An issue was discovered in the character definitions of the Unicode Specification through 14.0. The specification allows an adversary to produce source code identifiers such as function names using homoglyphs that render visually identical to a target identifier. Adversaries can leverage this to inject code via adversarial identifier definitions in upstream software dependencies invoked deceptively in downstream software. NOTE: the Unicode Consortium offers the following alternative approach to presenting this concern. An issue is noted in the nature of international text that can affect applications that implement support for The Unicode Standard (all versions). Unless mitigated, an adversary could produce source code identifiers using homoglyph characters that render visually identical to but are distinct from a target identifier. In this way, an adversary could inject adversarial identifier definitions in upstream software that are not detected by human reviewers and are invoked deceptively in downstream software. The Unicode Consortium has documented this class of security vulnerability in its document, Unicode Technical Report #36, Unicode Security Considerations. The Unicode Consortium also provides guidance on mitigations for this class of issues in Unicode Technical Standard #39, Unicode Security Mechanisms.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2021-42694 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 complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 8.3.

The vulnerability has a "Changed" scope, meaning successful exploitation can impact components beyond the vulnerable component itself — such as the host operating system or adjacent services.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

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

Affected Vendors & Products

unicode1 product(s)
unicode
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

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

All References (20)

http://www.unicode.org/versions/Unicode14.0.0/Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
https://trojansource.codesThird Party Advisory
https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/999008Third Party Advisory · US Government Resource
https://www.unicode.org/reports/tr36/Technical Description · Vendor Advisory
https://www.unicode.org/reports/tr39/Technical Description · Vendor Advisory
http://www.unicode.org/versions/Unicode14.0.0/Release Notes · Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2021-42694
CVSS Score8.3 / 10
SeverityHIGH
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 1, 2021

Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-Other)

Recommended Actions

  • Apply vendor patches immediately
  • Monitor CVE-2021-42694 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.