CVE-2021-39558Public exploit

Code execution via image palette stack overflow

Published Sep 20, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Stack-buffer overflow in SWFTools through 20200710 allows attackers to execute code by processing a crafted PDF image. VectorGraphicOutputDev::drawGeneralImage writes a byte beyond its 256-byte stack palette while pdf2swf renders a soft-masked image. Execution requires a user to invoke pdf2swf on the crafted file; the published proof of concept demonstrates an AddressSanitizer-detected abort.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.05%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Stack-buffer overflow in SWFTools through 20200710 allows attackers to execute code by processing a crafted PDF image. VectorGraphicOutputDev::drawGeneralImage writes a byte beyond its 256-byte stack palette while pdf2swf renders a soft-masked image. Execution requires a user to invoke pdf2swf on the crafted file; the published proof of concept demonstrates an AddressSanitizer-detected abort.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-39558
Published
Sep 20, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-787, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 20, 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 vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8NIST NVDCVSS: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.

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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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