How severe is CVE-2021-3480?

CVE-2021-3480 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-2021-3480 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (74th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-3480?

CVE-2021-3480 primarily affects Slapi-nis Project Slapi-nis. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-3480?

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-2021-3480 published?

CVE-2021-3480 was published on 2021-05-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-3480

CVE-2021-3480 is a high-severity vulnerability in Slapi-nis Project Slapi-nis 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: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (74th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-476
Affected product: Slapi-nis Project Slapi-nis
Published: 2021-05-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A flaw was found in slapi-nis in versions before 0.56.7. A NULL pointer dereference during the parsing of the Binding DN could allow an unauthenticated attacker to crash the 389-ds-base directory server. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-3480?: A flaw was found in slapi-nis in versions before 0.56.7. A NULL pointer dereference during the parsing of the Binding DN could allow an unauthenticated attacker to crash the 389-ds-base directory server. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.
How severe is CVE-2021-3480?: CVE-2021-3480 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-2021-3480 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (74th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-3480?: CVE-2021-3480 primarily affects Slapi-nis Project Slapi-nis. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-3480?: 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-2021-3480 published?: CVE-2021-3480 was published on 2021-05-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:slapi-nis_project:slapi-nis:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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