CVE-2021-22191Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via unrestricted URL schemes

Published Mar 15, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

URL scheme injection in Wireshark 3.4.0 through 3.4.3 and 3.2.0 through 3.2.11 allows remote attackers to execute code via crafted packets. ProtoTree::itemDoubleClicked passes attacker-controlled field URLs with non-HTTP schemes directly to QDesktopServices::openUrl, allowing the desktop to mount and open remote executable content. Exploitation requires a user to inspect attacker-supplied traffic or a capture file and double-click the malicious URL; the vendor separately confirms that malformed input can crash the application.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability3.67%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

URL scheme injection in Wireshark 3.4.0 through 3.4.3 and 3.2.0 through 3.2.11 allows remote attackers to execute code via crafted packets. ProtoTree::itemDoubleClicked passes attacker-controlled field URLs with non-HTTP schemes directly to QDesktopServices::openUrl, allowing the desktop to mount and open remote executable content. Exploitation requires a user to inspect attacker-supplied traffic or a capture file and double-click the malicious URL; the vendor separately confirms that malformed input can crash the application.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-22191
Published
Mar 15, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Wireshark Foundation
Product
Wireshark
Classifications
CWE-74, T1204.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 15, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=>=3.2.0, <3.2.12
  2. Affected versionversion=>=3.4.0, <3.4.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Wireshark Foundation · Wiresharkversion=>=3.2.0, <3.2.12; version=>=3.4.0, <3.4.4

Published CVSS scores

6.3GitLab Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-74Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
T1204.001User Execution: Malicious Link

Public exploit references

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

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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