CVE-2021-44738

Remote code execution via PostScript buffer overwrite

Published Jan 20, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Out-of-bounds write in the PostScript interpreter in Lexmark devices allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted PostScript data. The interpreter writes attacker-controlled PostScript data past the end of an allocated buffer during parsing. No authentication is required, but network adjacency is required; successful exploitation runs code as the service account or root, depending on the flaw variant.

CVSS severity9.0
Critical
EPSS probability3.31%
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 write in the PostScript interpreter in Lexmark devices allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted PostScript data. The interpreter writes attacker-controlled PostScript data past the end of an allocated buffer during parsing. No authentication is required, but network adjacency is required; successful exploitation runs code as the service account or root, depending on the flaw variant.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-44738
Published
Jan 20, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-120
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 20, 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 vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
10.0NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
9.0LexmarkCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/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.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')

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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