How severe is CVE-2021-29221?

CVE-2021-29221 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-2021-29221 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (44th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-29221?

CVE-2021-29221 affects Erlang Erlang/otp. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-29221?

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-2021-29221 published?

CVE-2021-29221 was published on 2021-04-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-29221

CVE-2021-29221 is a high-severity vulnerability in Erlang Erlang/otp 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-426.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
CVSS v2: 6.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (44th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-426
Affected product: Erlang Erlang/otp
Published: 2021-04-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A local privilege escalation vulnerability was discovered in Erlang/OTP prior to version 23.2.3. By adding files to an existing installation's directory, a local attacker could hijack accounts of other users running Erlang programs or possibly coerce a service running with "erlsrv.exe" to execute arbitrary code as Local System. This can occur only under specific conditions on Windows with unsafe filesystem permissions.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-29221?: A local privilege escalation vulnerability was discovered in Erlang/OTP prior to version 23.2.3. By adding files to an existing installation's directory, a local attacker could hijack accounts of other users running Erlang programs or possibly coerce a service running with "erlsrv.exe" to execute arbitrary code as Local System. This can occur only under specific conditions on Windows with unsafe filesystem permissions.
How severe is CVE-2021-29221?: CVE-2021-29221 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-2021-29221 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (44th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-29221?: CVE-2021-29221 affects Erlang Erlang/otp. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-29221?: 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-2021-29221 published?: CVE-2021-29221 was published on 2021-04-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:erlang:erlang\/otp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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