CVE-2021-39282Network attack vector

Service interruption via leaked AC-3 parse buffers

Published Aug 18, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Memory leak in LIVE555 1.08 and earlier allows remote attackers to exhaust server memory through repeated AC-3 file parsing. AC3AudioStreamParser allocates its fSavedFrame buffer in readAndSaveAFrame(), but its destructor fails to release a buffer still present when the parser is destroyed. The affected parsing path must process AC-3 media; repeated unauthenticated requests can deplete memory and interrupt service.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability1.53%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory leak in LIVE555 1.08 and earlier allows remote attackers to exhaust server memory through repeated AC-3 file parsing. AC3AudioStreamParser allocates its fSavedFrame buffer in readAndSaveAFrame(), but its destructor fails to release a buffer still present when the parser is destroyed. The affected parsing path must process AC-3 media; repeated unauthenticated requests can deplete memory and interrupt service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-39282
Published
Aug 18, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-401, T1499.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 18, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
5.0NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/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.

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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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-401Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime
T1499.001OS Exhaustion Flood

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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