CVE-2021-34055: jhead 3.06 is vulnerable to Buffer Overflow via exif.c in function Put16u.

This month

HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2021-34055 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting jhead, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

jhead 3.06 is vulnerable to Buffer Overflow via exif.c in function Put16u.

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	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 62%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120
Published	2022-11-04
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · jhead project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-11-04 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:55 UTCUpdated Record last modified

jhead project jhead DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.06

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.06

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.06 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison jhead sudo apt install jhead=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.06> sudo apt-mark hold jhead

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

dnf --showduplicates list jhead sudo dnf downgrade jhead-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.06> sudo dnf versionlock add jhead

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0 · 11.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

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-2021-34055?

jhead: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-34055 being exploited?

CVE-2021-34055 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-2021-34055 affect?

CVE-2021-34055 affects jhead, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). jhead 3.06 is vulnerable to Buffer Overflow via exif.c in function Put16u.

How urgent is CVE-2021-34055?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-44906 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE jhead v3.08 was discovered to contain a heap-use-after-free via the ProcessFile function at jhead.c.
CVE-2022-41751 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Jhead 3.06.0.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands by placing them in a JPEG filename and then u
CVE-2022-28550 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE Matthias-Wandel/jhead jhead 3.06 is vulnerable to Buffer Overflow via shellescape(), jhead.c, jhead
CVE-2021-28278 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability exists in jhead 3.04 and 3.05 via the RemoveSectionType function in
CVE-2021-28277 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilty exists in jhead 3.04 and 3.05 is affected by: Buffer Overflow via th

References

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