How severe is CVE-2021-31154?

CVE-2021-31154 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-31154 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-31154?

CVE-2021-31154 affects Pleaseedit Project Pleaseedit. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-31154?

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-2021-31154 published?

CVE-2021-31154 was published on 2021-05-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-31154

CVE-2021-31154 is a high-severity vulnerability in Pleaseedit Project Pleaseedit with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-668.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (37th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-668
Affected product: Pleaseedit Project Pleaseedit
Published: 2021-05-27
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

pleaseedit in please before 0.4 uses predictable temporary filenames in /tmp and the target directory. This allows a local attacker to gain full root privileges by staging a symlink attack.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-31154?: pleaseedit in please before 0.4 uses predictable temporary filenames in /tmp and the target directory. This allows a local attacker to gain full root privileges by staging a symlink attack.
How severe is CVE-2021-31154?: CVE-2021-31154 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-31154 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-31154?: CVE-2021-31154 affects Pleaseedit Project Pleaseedit. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-31154?: 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-2021-31154 published?: CVE-2021-31154 was published on 2021-05-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:pleaseedit_project:pleaseedit:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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