CVE-2021-46538Public exploit

Interpreter crash via invalid garbage-collector read

Published Jan 27, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Memory-safety flaw in Cesanta MJS 2.20.0 allows local users to crash the interpreter by executing a crafted JavaScript file. During garbage collection, gc_compact_strings at src/mjs_gc.c:406 reads an invalid address after the crafted expression exercises recursive calls, string serialization, and explicit garbage collection. Exploitation requires the crafted script to be run by the interpreter and interrupts only the affected process.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.61%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory-safety flaw in Cesanta MJS 2.20.0 allows local users to crash the interpreter by executing a crafted JavaScript file. During garbage collection, gc_compact_strings at src/mjs_gc.c:406 reads an invalid address after the crafted expression exercises recursive calls, string serialization, and explicit garbage collection. Exploitation requires the crafted script to be run by the interpreter and interrupts only the affected process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-46538
Published
Jan 27, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
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

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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

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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