How severe is CVE-2021-42040?

CVE-2021-42040 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-2021-42040 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-42040?

CVE-2021-42040 affects Mediawiki. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-42040?

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-2021-42040 published?

CVE-2021-42040 was published on 2021-10-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-42040

CVE-2021-42040 is a high-severity vulnerability in Mediawiki 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-835.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (62nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-835
Affected product: Mediawiki
Published: 2021-10-06
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered in MediaWiki through 1.36.2. A parser function related to loop control allowed for an infinite loop (and php-fpm hang) within the Loops extension because egLoopsCountLimit is mishandled. This could lead to memory exhaustion.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-42040?: An issue was discovered in MediaWiki through 1.36.2. A parser function related to loop control allowed for an infinite loop (and php-fpm hang) within the Loops extension because egLoopsCountLimit is mishandled. This could lead to memory exhaustion.
How severe is CVE-2021-42040?: CVE-2021-42040 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-2021-42040 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-42040?: CVE-2021-42040 affects Mediawiki. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-42040?: 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-2021-42040 published?: CVE-2021-42040 was published on 2021-10-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:mediawiki:mediawiki:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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