CVE-2021-41159
CVE-2021-41159 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Freerdp with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.8. 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-787.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.8)
- CVSS v2: 6.8
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (68th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-787
- Affected product: Freerdp
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
FreeRDP is a free implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), released under the Apache license. All FreeRDP clients prior to version 2.4.1 using gateway connections (`/gt:rpc`) fail to validate input data. A malicious gateway might allow client memory to be written out of bounds. This issue has been resolved in version 2.4.1. If you are unable to update then use `/gt:http` rather than /gt:rdp connections if possible or use a direct connection without a gateway.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2021-41159?
- FreeRDP is a free implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), released under the Apache license. All FreeRDP clients prior to version 2.4.1 using gateway connections (`/gt:rpc`) fail to validate input data. A malicious gateway might allow client memory to be written out of bounds. This issue has been resolved in version 2.4.1. If you are unable to update then use `/gt:http` rather than /gt:rdp connections if possible or use a direct connection without a gateway.
- How severe is CVE-2021-41159?
- CVE-2021-41159 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.8, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
- Is CVE-2021-41159 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2021-41159?
- CVE-2021-41159 primarily affects Freerdp. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2021-41159?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2021-41159 published?
- CVE-2021-41159 was published on 2021-10-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/security/advisories/GHSA-vh34-m9h7-95xq
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DWJXQOWKNR7O5HM2HFJOM4GBUFPTE3RG/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202210-24
Affected products (2)
- cpe:2.3:a:freerdp:freerdp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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