CVE-2021-46896Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Autopilot crash via unchecked MAVLink waypoint count

Published Jul 6, 2023 · Updated Nov 20, 2024

Buffer overflow in PX4-Autopilot allows remote attackers to crash the autopilot by sending a crafted MAVLink message 332. The receiver uses the unbounded valid_points field as a loop limit when writing flags into its fixed-size trajectory waypoint array. Exploitation requires access to a configured MAVLink link; oversized values corrupt memory and interrupt flight-control service.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.81%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

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Summary

What happened

Buffer overflow in PX4-Autopilot allows remote attackers to crash the autopilot by sending a crafted MAVLink message 332. The receiver uses the unbounded valid_points field as a loop limit when writing flags into its fixed-size trajectory waypoint array. Exploitation requires access to a configured MAVLink link; oversized values corrupt memory and interrupt flight-control service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-46896
Published
Jul 6, 2023
Updated
Nov 20, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-120, T1499.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 6, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 20, 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 vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

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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