CVE-2021-21235: kamadak-exif is an exif parsing library written in pure Rust

Routine

MEDIUM 5.7DOWNGRADE

CVE-2021-21235 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.7) affecting kamadak-exif. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

kamadak-exif is an exif parsing library written in pure Rust. In kamadak-exif version 0.5.2, there is an infinite loop in parsing crafted PNG files. Specifically, reader::read_from_container can cause an infinite loop when a crafted PNG file is given. This is fixed in version 0.5.3. No workaround is available. Applications that do not pass files with the PNG signature to Reader::read_from_container are not affected.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.7 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.5% (top 25%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-400, CWE-835
Published	2021-01-06
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: kamadak-exif project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-01-06 02:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:35 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kamadak-exif project kamadak-exif DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.5.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.5.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy kamadak-exif || rpm -q kamadak-exif || kamadak-exif --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.5.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison kamadak-exif sudo apt install kamadak-exif=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.5.2> sudo apt-mark hold kamadak-exif

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list kamadak-exif sudo dnf downgrade kamadak-exif-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.5.2> sudo dnf versionlock add kamadak-exif

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-21235?

kamadak-exif: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-21235 being exploited?

CVE-2021-21235 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-21235 affect?

CVE-2021-21235 affects kamadak-exif. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.7). kamadak-exif is an exif parsing library written in pure Rust. In kamadak-exif version 0.5.2, there is an infinite loop in parsing crafted PNG files. Specifically, reader::read_from_container can cause an infinite loop when a crafted PNG fil

How urgent is CVE-2021-21235?

Priority 39/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

References

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