How severe is CVE-2021-20299?

CVE-2021-20299 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-20299 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (76th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-20299?

CVE-2021-20299 primarily affects Openexr. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-20299?

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-2021-20299 published?

CVE-2021-20299 was published on 2022-03-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-20299

CVE-2021-20299 is a high-severity vulnerability in Openexr with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-476.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (76th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-476
Affected product: Openexr
Published: 2022-03-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A flaw was found in OpenEXR's Multipart input file functionality. A crafted multi-part input file with no actual parts can trigger a NULL pointer dereference. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-20299?: A flaw was found in OpenEXR's Multipart input file functionality. A crafted multi-part input file with no actual parts can trigger a NULL pointer dereference. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.
How severe is CVE-2021-20299?: CVE-2021-20299 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-20299 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (76th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-20299?: CVE-2021-20299 primarily affects Openexr. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-20299?: 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-2021-20299 published?: CVE-2021-20299 was published on 2022-03-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:openexr:openexr:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Other CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2026-46195 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: validate dacloffset before building…
CVE-2026-31657 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: batman-adv: hold claim backbone gateways by…
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