CVE-2020-21599Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Decoder crash via out-of-bounds z-scan read

Published Sep 16, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Heap-buffer over-read in libde265 1.0.4 allows remote attackers to crash an application during decoding of a crafted HEVC file. The de265_image::available_zscan method reads a four-byte integer 1,468 bytes beyond a heap vector while processing malformed picture-parameter state. Exploitation requires an application using the library to decode the attacker-supplied file; the demonstrated consequence is process termination.

CVSS severity6.5
Medium
EPSS probability1.44%
Next 30 days · Sep 17, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Heap-buffer over-read in libde265 1.0.4 allows remote attackers to crash an application during decoding of a crafted HEVC file. The de265_image::available_zscan method reads a four-byte integer 1,468 bytes beyond a heap vector while processing malformed picture-parameter state. Exploitation requires an application using the library to decode the attacker-supplied file; the demonstrated consequence is process termination.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-21599
Published
Sep 16, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-787, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 16, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
4.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 11, 2026Sep 17, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 17, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo