What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-20197?

CVE-2021-20197 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.3 (Medium). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.3%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2021-20197?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2021-20197. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Binutils CVE-2021-20197

MEDIUM

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (CWE-59)

2021-03-26 secalert@redhat.com

Information Disclosure Broadcom Red Hat Binutils Enterprise Linux Solidfire Hci Management Node Ontap Select Deploy Administration Utility Cloud Backup Brocade Fabric Operating System Firmware Gnu Netapp

6.3

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-59 OWASP Top 10:2025 A01:2025 - Broken Access Control ASVS 5.0 V5 - File Handling Symlink resolution safety
Impact	CVSS score of 6.3 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: local attack vector, high complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction not required.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	Successful exploitation could compromise the medium-severity affected system.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).

Patch available 0.3% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

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. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3).

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

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Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-59. 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. Affected products include: Gnu Binutils, Redhat Enterprise Linux, Netapp Cloud Backup, Netapp Ontap Select Deploy Administration Utility, Netapp Solidfire \& Hci Management Node. Version information: version 2.35.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 6.3 MEDIUM

AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

High

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

None

DescriptionNVD

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.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.3%

Top 77% exploitable

Data Quality

2 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity MEDIUM

CISA KEV No

Public POC No

EPSS 0.3%

Patch available Yes

Active threat No

Deciding rule

MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Defer

Exploitation· derived

None

System Exposure· derived

Small

Automatable· derived

Human Impact· derived

Medium

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: 0

CVSS: +32

PoC: 0

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Information Disclosure MEDIUM

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.