CVE-2021-38433

Local code execution via XML parser overflow

Published May 5, 2022 · Updated Apr 16, 2025

Stack-based buffer overflow in Real-Time Innovations RTI Connext DDS Professional and Connext DDS Secure 4.2x through 6.1.0 allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code. The XML document parser writes beyond a stack buffer when processing a malicious configuration document, corrupting process memory. Exploitation requires the attacker to alter a Connext configuration file on the same host; successful code runs with the Connext application's privileges and can crash the process.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.56%
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 Real-Time Innovations RTI Connext DDS Professional and Connext DDS Secure 4.2x through 6.1.0 allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code. The XML document parser writes beyond a stack buffer when processing a malicious configuration document, corrupting process memory. Exploitation requires the attacker to alter a Connext configuration file on the same host; successful code runs with the Connext application's privileges and can crash the process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38433
Published
May 5, 2022
Updated
Apr 16, 2025
Vendor
Real-Time Innovations
Product
RTI Connext DDS Professional
Classifications
CWE-121, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 5, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 16, 2025Record 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=4.2x <=6.1.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Real-Time Innovations · RTI Connext DDS Professionalversion=4.2x <=6.1.0
Real-Time Innovations · RTI Connext DDS Secureversion=4.2x <=6.1.0

Published CVSS scores

4.6NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.6ICS-CERTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/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.

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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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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