CVE-2021-38439Network attack vector

Remote code execution via malformed RTPS payload

Published May 5, 2022 · Updated Apr 16, 2025

Heap-based buffer overflow in GurumNetworks GurumDDS all versions allows remote attackers to crash or execute code via RTPS traffic. The rtps_read_AckNackMessage function, reached through read_Submessage, overflows heap memory while parsing a malformed RTPS payload. Unauthenticated network access to a DDS endpoint is sufficient; the demonstrated result is a segmentation-fault crash, while the CNA also reports arbitrary code execution.

CVSS severity8.6
High
EPSS probability2.68%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap-based buffer overflow in GurumNetworks GurumDDS all versions allows remote attackers to crash or execute code via RTPS traffic. The rtps_read_AckNackMessage function, reached through read_Submessage, overflows heap memory while parsing a malformed RTPS payload. Unauthenticated network access to a DDS endpoint is sufficient; the demonstrated result is a segmentation-fault crash, while the CNA also reports arbitrary code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38439
Published
May 5, 2022
Updated
Apr 16, 2025
Vendor
GurumNetworks
Product
GurumDDS
Classifications
CWE-122, T1210
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

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?

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  1. Affected versionversion=all versions

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

GurumNetworks · GurumDDSversion=all versions

Published CVSS scores

8.6ICS-CERTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H
9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NVDAV: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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-122Heap-based Buffer Overflow
T1210Exploitation of Remote Services

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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