CVE-2021-38430

Code execution via unchecked PDW buffer copy

Published Oct 18, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Stack-based buffer overflow in FATEK Automation WinProladder 3.30 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a crafted PDW file. The PDW parser copies attacker-controlled data into a fixed-length stack buffer without first validating its length. Execution requires a user to open the file or visit a malicious page, and the code runs in the context of the current process.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.04%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Stack-based buffer overflow in FATEK Automation WinProladder 3.30 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a crafted PDW file. The PDW parser copies attacker-controlled data into a fixed-length stack buffer without first validating its length. Execution requires a user to open the file or visit a malicious page, and the code runs in the context of the current process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38430
Published
Oct 18, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
FATEK Automation Corporation
Product
WinProladder
Classifications
CWE-121, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 18, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 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=All <=3.30

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

FATEK Automation Corporation · WinProladderversion=All <=3.30

Published CVSS scores

6.8NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8ICS-CERTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-121Stack-based Buffer Overflow
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
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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