CVE-2021-33473: An argument injection vulnerability in Dragonfly Ruby Gem v1.3.0 allows attackers to read and write arbitrary

This month

CRITICAL 9.1REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2021-33473 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting dragonfly. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An argument injection vulnerability in Dragonfly Ruby Gem v1.3.0 allows attackers to read and write arbitrary files when the verify_url option is disabled. This vulnerability is exploited via a crafted URL.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.1 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.1% (top 34%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-88
Published	2022-06-02
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: dragonfly project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-06-02 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

dragonfly project dragonfly DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.3.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison dragonfly sudo apt install dragonfly=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3.0> sudo apt-mark hold dragonfly

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

dnf --showduplicates list dragonfly sudo dnf downgrade dragonfly-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add dragonfly

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-2021-33473?

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

Is CVE-2021-33473 being exploited?

CVE-2021-33473 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-2021-33473 affect?

CVE-2021-33473 affects dragonfly. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). An argument injection vulnerability in Dragonfly Ruby Gem v1.3.0 allows attackers to read and write arbitrary files when the verify_url option is disabled. This vulnerability is exploited via a crafted URL.

How urgent is CVE-2021-33473?

Priority 53/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Ruby vulnerabilities

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References

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