How severe is CVE-2021-38196?

CVE-2021-38196 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-38196 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-38196?

CVE-2021-38196 affects Better-macro Project Better-macro. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38196?

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

When was CVE-2021-38196 published?

CVE-2021-38196 was published on 2021-08-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-38196

CVE-2021-38196 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Better-macro Project Better-macro with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-94.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (83rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-94
Affected product: Better-macro Project Better-macro
Published: 2021-08-08
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered in the better-macro crate through 2021-07-22 for Rust. It intentionally demonstrates that remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via proc-macros, and otherwise has no legitimate purpose.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-38196?: An issue was discovered in the better-macro crate through 2021-07-22 for Rust. It intentionally demonstrates that remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via proc-macros, and otherwise has no legitimate purpose.
How severe is CVE-2021-38196?: CVE-2021-38196 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-38196 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-38196?: CVE-2021-38196 affects Better-macro Project Better-macro. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-38196?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-38196 published?: CVE-2021-38196 was published on 2021-08-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:better-macro_project:better-macro:*:*:*:*:*:rust:*:*

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