CVE-2021-32563

Code execution via automatic MIME handler delegation

Published May 11, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Code execution in Xfce Thunar before 4.16.7 and 4.17.0 through 4.17.1 allows attackers to run files via command-line arguments. Thunar treats a regular-file argument as a request to open that file and delegates it to the MIME-associated program without confirmation. Exploitation requires Thunar to be invoked with an attacker-controlled file and executes code with the privileges of the Thunar process.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability3.10%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code execution in Xfce Thunar before 4.16.7 and 4.17.0 through 4.17.1 allows attackers to run files via command-line arguments. Thunar treats a regular-file argument as a request to open that file and delegates it to the MIME-associated program without confirmation. Exploitation requires Thunar to be invoked with an attacker-controlled file and executes code with the privileges of the Thunar process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-32563
Published
May 11, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-913, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 11, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-913Improper Control of Dynamically-Managed Code Resources
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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