CVE-2021-38438Public exploit

Arbitrary code execution via PDW use after free

Published Oct 18, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Use after free in FATEK Automation WinProladder 3.30 and earlier allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed PDW project files. The parser performs operations on a freed object without validating that the object still exists. Exploitation requires a valid user to open a malicious project file; code runs in the current process context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.02%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use after free in FATEK Automation WinProladder 3.30 and earlier allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed PDW project files. The parser performs operations on a freed object without validating that the object still exists. Exploitation requires a valid user to open a malicious project file; code runs in the current process context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38438
Published
Oct 18, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
FATEK Automation Corporation
Product
WinProladder
Classifications
CWE-416, 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

7.8[email protected]CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8[email protected]AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8[email protected]CVSS: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.

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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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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