CVE-2021-42198Public exploit

Process crash via null dereference in swf_GetBits

Published May 31, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

NULL pointer dereference in SWFTools through 20201222 allows local users to crash swfdump by processing a crafted SWF file. In lib/rfxswf.c, swf_GetBits dereferences a null address while swf_GetMatrix parses bit fields from the malformed file, causing a segmentation fault. The target must run swfdump on the attacker-supplied file; the demonstrated consequence is process termination rather than data disclosure or modification.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.70%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

NULL pointer dereference in SWFTools through 20201222 allows local users to crash swfdump by processing a crafted SWF file. In lib/rfxswf.c, swf_GetBits dereferences a null address while swf_GetMatrix parses bit fields from the malformed file, causing a segmentation fault. The target must run swfdump on the attacker-supplied file; the demonstrated consequence is process termination rather than data disclosure or modification.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-42198
Published
May 31, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-476, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 31, 2022CVE 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 privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

4.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P
5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/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
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-476NULL Pointer Dereference
T1204.002Malicious 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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