CVE-2021-42341: checkpath in OpenRC before 0.44.7 uses the direct output of strlen() to allocate strings, which does not accou

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HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-42341 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting openrc. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

checkpath in OpenRC before 0.44.7 uses the direct output of strlen() to allocate strings, which does not account for the '\0' byte at the end of the string. This results in memory corruption. CVE-2021-42341 was introduced in git commit 63db2d99e730547339d1bdd28e8437999c380cae, which was introduced as part of OpenRC 0.44.0 development.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.1% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2021-10-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: openrc project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-10-14 05:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

openrc project openrc UPGRADE

Affected: >= 0.44.0 and < 0.44.7

Fixed in: 0.44.7

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.44.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 0.44.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade openrc

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 0.44.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openrc sudo apt install openrc=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.44.0> sudo apt-mark hold openrc

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

dnf --showduplicates list openrc sudo dnf downgrade openrc-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.44.0> sudo dnf versionlock add openrc

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-2021-42341?

openrc: upgrade to 0.44.7. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-42341 being exploited?

CVE-2021-42341 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-2021-42341 affect?

CVE-2021-42341 affects openrc. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). checkpath in OpenRC before 0.44.7 uses the direct output of strlen() to allocate strings, which does not account for the '\0' byte at the end of the string. This results in memory corruption. CVE-2021-42341 was introduced in git commit 63db

How urgent is CVE-2021-42341?

Priority 57/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Git vulnerabilities

References

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