CVE-2021-38440

Information disclosure via unchecked PDW file parsing

Published Oct 18, 2021 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Out-of-bounds read in FATEK Automation WinProladder 3.30 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to disclose process memory. The PDW file parser fails to validate user-supplied data before reading past the end of an allocated buffer. Exploitation requires a user to open a malicious file or visit a malicious page; the standalone flaw exposes information, while code execution requires chaining another vulnerability.

CVSS severity3.3
Low
EPSS probability0.61%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds read in FATEK Automation WinProladder 3.30 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to disclose process memory. The PDW file parser fails to validate user-supplied data before reading past the end of an allocated buffer. Exploitation requires a user to open a malicious file or visit a malicious page; the standalone flaw exposes information, while code execution requires chaining another vulnerability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38440
Published
Oct 18, 2021
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
FATEK Automation Corporation
Product
WinProladder
Classifications
CWE-125, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 18, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 17, 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

3.3ICS-CERTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
3.3NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
4.3NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-125Out-of-bounds Read
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

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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