How severe is CVE-2021-20271?

CVE-2021-20271 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-20271 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (53rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-20271?

CVE-2021-20271 primarily affects Redhat Enterprise Linux. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-20271?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-20271 published?

CVE-2021-20271 was published on 2021-03-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-20271

CVE-2021-20271 is a high-severity vulnerability in Redhat Enterprise Linux with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-345.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
CVSS v2: 5.1
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (53rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-345
Affected product: Redhat Enterprise Linux
Published: 2021-03-26
Last modified: 2026-06-17

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-20271?: 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.
How severe is CVE-2021-20271?: CVE-2021-20271 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-20271 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (53rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-20271?: CVE-2021-20271 primarily affects Redhat Enterprise Linux. In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-20271?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-20271 published?: CVE-2021-20271 was published on 2021-03-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (13)

cpe:2.3:a:rpm:rpm:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rpm:rpm:4.15.0:alpha:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rpm:rpm:4.15.0:beta1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rpm:rpm:4.15.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rpm:rpm:4.16.0:alpha:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rpm:rpm:4.16.0:beta2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rpm:rpm:4.16.0:beta3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rpm:rpm:4.16.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:starwind_virtual_san:v8:build14398:*:*:*:*:*:*

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