CVE-2021-3401Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via Qt argument injection

Published Feb 4, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Argument injection in Bitcoin Core before 0.19.0 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted Bitcoin URI. Qt processes an injected -platformpluginpath argument before Bitcoin Core rejects options following the URI, causing a plugin at an attacker-chosen local path to load and execute. Exploitation requires prior placement of a malicious plugin and a Windows or Linux URI handler that preserves injected quote delimiters; common browsers and desktop environments block the documented path.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability10.48%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Argument injection in Bitcoin Core before 0.19.0 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted Bitcoin URI. Qt processes an injected -platformpluginpath argument before Bitcoin Core rejects options following the URI, causing a plugin at an attacker-chosen local path to load and execute. Exploitation requires prior placement of a malicious plugin and a Windows or Linux URI handler that preserves injected quote delimiters; common browsers and desktop environments block the documented path.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3401
Published
Feb 4, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-88, T1204.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 4, 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 vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/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 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-88Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument 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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