CVE-2021-28927Public exploit

Local code execution via PowerShell argument injection

Published Apr 7, 2021 · Updated Jul 9, 2026

OS command injection in libretro RetroArch 1.9.0 for Windows allows local users to execute code through crafted file or directory names. The accessibility_speak_windows function in platform_win32.c passes those names as an unescaped command-line argument to PowerShell. Exploitation requires filesystem write access to a location RetroArch uses and the accessibility text-to-speech feature, which is disabled by default.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.27%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in libretro RetroArch 1.9.0 for Windows allows local users to execute code through crafted file or directory names. The accessibility_speak_windows function in platform_win32.c passes those names as an unescaped command-line argument to PowerShell. Exploitation requires filesystem write access to a location RetroArch uses and the accessibility text-to-speech feature, which is disabled by default.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-28927
Published
Apr 7, 2021
Updated
Jul 9, 2026
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 7, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jul 9, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

4.6NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059.001PowerShell

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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