CVE-2021-22570: Nullptr dereference when a null char is present in a proto symbol

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-22570?

protobuf: upgrade to 3.15.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-22570 being exploited?

CVE-2021-22570 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-22570 affect?

CVE-2021-22570 affects protobuf, debian linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). Nullptr dereference when a null char is present in a proto symbol. The symbol is parsed incorrectly, leading to an unchecked call into the proto file's name during generation of the resulting error message. Since the symbol is incorrectly p

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-22570?

Priority 49/100. On your watchlist

This month

MEDIUM 6.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2021-22570 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting protobuf, debian linux, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Nullptr dereference when a null char is present in a proto symbol. The symbol is parsed incorrectly, leading to an unchecked call into the proto file's name during generation of the resulting error message. Since the symbol is incorrectly parsed, the file is nullptr. We recommend upgrading to version 3.15.0 or greater.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.7% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-476
Published	2022-01-26
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Google Inc. · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · google · netapp · oracle

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-01-26 14:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:37 UTCUpdated Record last modified

google protobuf UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.15.0

Fixed in: 3.15.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 3.15.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade protobuf

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade protobuf

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0 · 10.0 · 11.0

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 34 · 35 · 36

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 34

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.

oracle mysql UPGRADE

Affected: <= 8.0.28

Fixed in: newer than 8.0.28

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 8.0.28 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade mysql

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade mysql

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

netapp active iq unified manager MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy active-iq-unified-manager || rpm -q active-iq-unified-manager || active-iq-unified-manager --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

netapp active iq unified manager MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy active-iq-unified-manager || rpm -q active-iq-unified-manager || active-iq-unified-manager --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

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-2021-22570?

protobuf: upgrade to 3.15.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-22570 being exploited?

CVE-2021-22570 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-2021-22570 affect?

CVE-2021-22570 affects protobuf, debian linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). Nullptr dereference when a null char is present in a proto symbol. The symbol is parsed incorrectly, leading to an unchecked call into the proto file's name during generation of the resulting error message. Since the symbol is incorrectly p

How urgent is CVE-2021-22570?

Priority 49/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

MySQL vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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