CVE-2021-32563: An issue was discovered in Thunar before 4.16.7 and 4.17.x before 4.17.2

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-32563 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting thunar. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in Thunar before 4.16.7 and 4.17.x before 4.17.2. When called with a regular file as a command-line argument, it delegates to a different program (based on the file type) without user confirmation. This could be used to achieve code execution.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.1% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-913
Published	2021-05-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: xfce

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-05-11 05:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

xfce thunar UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.16.7 · >= 4.17.0 and < 4.17.2

Fixed in: 4.16.7, 4.17.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.17.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 4.16.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade thunar

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.17.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison thunar sudo apt install thunar=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.17.0> sudo apt-mark hold thunar

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list thunar sudo dnf downgrade thunar-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.17.0> sudo dnf versionlock add thunar

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-2021-32563?

thunar: upgrade to 4.16.7, 4.17.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-32563 being exploited?

CVE-2021-32563 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-2021-32563 affect?

CVE-2021-32563 affects thunar. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). An issue was discovered in Thunar before 4.16.7 and 4.17.x before 4.17.2. When called with a regular file as a command-line argument, it delegates to a different program (based on the file type) without user confirmation. This could be used

How urgent is CVE-2021-32563?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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