CVE-2021-21897: A code execution vulnerability exists in the DL_Dxf::handleLWPolylineData functionality of Ribbonsoft dxflib 3

This week

HIGH 8.8WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2021-21897 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting dxflib, extra packages for enterprise linux, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A code execution vulnerability exists in the DL_Dxf::handleLWPolylineData functionality of Ribbonsoft dxflib 3.17.0. A specially-crafted .dxf file can lead to a heap buffer overflow. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	2.9% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-191, CWE-787
Published	2021-09-08
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Talos · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · ribbonsoft

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-09-08 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:36 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ribbonsoft dxflib DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.17.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.17.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy dxflib || rpm -q dxflib || dxflib --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.17.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison dxflib sudo apt install dxflib=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.17.0> sudo apt-mark hold dxflib

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

dnf --showduplicates list dxflib sudo dnf downgrade dxflib-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.17.0> sudo dnf versionlock add dxflib

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.

fedoraproject extra packages for enterprise linux DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.0 · 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy extra-packages-for-enterprise-linux || rpm -q extra-packages-for-enterprise-linux || extra-packages-for-enterprise-linux --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison extra-packages-for-enterprise-linux sudo apt install extra-packages-for-enterprise-linux=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo apt-mark hold extra-packages-for-enterprise-linux

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

dnf --showduplicates list extra-packages-for-enterprise-linux sudo dnf downgrade extra-packages-for-enterprise-linux-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add extra-packages-for-enterprise-linux

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 35 · 36 · 37

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 35

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2021-21897?

dxflib: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; extra packages for enterprise linux: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-21897 being exploited?

CVE-2021-21897 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-2021-21897 affect?

CVE-2021-21897 affects dxflib, extra packages for enterprise linux, fedora. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). A code execution vulnerability exists in the DL_Dxf::handleLWPolylineData functionality of Ribbonsoft dxflib 3.17.0. A specially-crafted .dxf file can lead to a heap buffer overflow. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this

How urgent is CVE-2021-21897?

Priority 63/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

References

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