CVE-2021-46523Public exploit

Interpreter crash via pre-buffer byte write

Published Jan 27, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Heap buffer overflow in Cesanta MJS 2.20.0 allows attackers to crash the interpreter via execution of a crafted JavaScript file. The to_json_or_debug routine handles an error from malformed chained JSON.stringify calls by writing one byte before its allocated heap region. Exploitation requires the crafted script to run locally with user interaction; the published proof demonstrates an abort, not arbitrary code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.73%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap buffer overflow in Cesanta MJS 2.20.0 allows attackers to crash the interpreter via execution of a crafted JavaScript file. The to_json_or_debug routine handles an error from malformed chained JSON.stringify calls by writing one byte before its allocated heap region. Exploitation requires the crafted script to run locally with user interaction; the published proof demonstrates an abort, not arbitrary code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-46523
Published
Jan 27, 2022
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. Jan 27, 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 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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