CVE-2021-20197

6.3 MEDIUM
Published: March 26, 2021 Modified: December 03, 2025

Description

There is an open race window when writing output in the following utilities in GNU binutils version 2.35 and earlier:ar, objcopy, strip, ranlib. When these utilities are run as a privileged user (presumably as part of a script updating binaries across different users), an unprivileged user can trick these utilities into getting ownership of arbitrary files through a symlink.

AI Explanation

Get an AI-powered plain-language explanation of this vulnerability and remediation steps.

Login to generate AI explanation

CVSS v3.x Details

0.0 Low Medium High Critical 10.0
Vector String
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Patch Vendor Advisory Exploit Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1913743
Source: secalert@redhat.com
Issue Tracking Patch Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-30
Source: secalert@redhat.com
Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210528-0009/
Source: secalert@redhat.com
Third Party Advisory
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=26945
Source: secalert@redhat.com
Issue Tracking Patch Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1913743
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Issue Tracking Patch Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-30
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210528-0009/
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Third Party Advisory
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=26945
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Issue Tracking Patch Third Party Advisory

8 reference(s) from NVD

Quick Stats

CVSS v3 Score
6.3 / 10.0
EPSS (Exploit Probability)
0.1%
31th percentile
Exploitation Status
Not in CISA KEV

Affected Vendors

netapp broadcom redhat gnu