How severe is CVE-2021-46873?

CVE-2021-46873 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium 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 low.

Is CVE-2021-46873 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-2021-46873?

CVE-2021-46873 affects Wireguard. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-46873?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2021-46873 published?

CVE-2021-46873 was published on 2023-01-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-46873

CVE-2021-46873 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Wireguard with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3. 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-362.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (37th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-362
Affected product: Wireguard
Published: 2023-01-29
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

WireGuard, such as WireGuard 0.5.3 on Windows, does not fully account for the possibility that an adversary might be able to set a victim's system time to a future value, e.g., because unauthenticated NTP is used. This can lead to an outcome in which one static private key becomes permanently useless.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-46873?: WireGuard, such as WireGuard 0.5.3 on Windows, does not fully account for the possibility that an adversary might be able to set a victim's system time to a future value, e.g., because unauthenticated NTP is used. This can lead to an outcome in which one static private key becomes permanently useless.
How severe is CVE-2021-46873?: CVE-2021-46873 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium 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 low.
Is CVE-2021-46873 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-2021-46873?: CVE-2021-46873 affects Wireguard. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-46873?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2021-46873 published?: CVE-2021-46873 was published on 2023-01-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://lists.zx2c4.com/pipermail/wireguard/2021-August/006916.html

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:wireguard:wireguard:0.5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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