CVE-2021-42523: There are two Information Disclosure vulnerabilities in colord, and they lie in colord/src/cd-device-db.c and

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2021-42523 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting colord. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

There are two Information Disclosure vulnerabilities in colord, and they lie in colord/src/cd-device-db.c and colord/src/cd-profile-db.c separately. They exist because the 'err_msg' of 'sqlite3_exec' is not releasing after use, while libxml2 emphasizes that the caller needs to release it.

Why this priority

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

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 39%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-200, CWE-401
Published	2022-08-25
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Fedora Project · Vendor: colord project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-08-25 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

colord project colord DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4.4 · 1.4.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison colord sudo apt install colord=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.4> sudo apt-mark hold colord

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

dnf --showduplicates list colord sudo dnf downgrade colord-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.4> sudo dnf versionlock add colord

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-2021-42523?

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

Is CVE-2021-42523 being exploited?

CVE-2021-42523 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-2021-42523 affect?

CVE-2021-42523 affects colord. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). There are two Information Disclosure vulnerabilities in colord, and they lie in colord/src/cd-device-db.c and colord/src/cd-profile-db.c separately. They exist because the 'err_msg' of 'sqlite3_exec' is not releasing after use, while libxml

How urgent is CVE-2021-42523?

Priority 51/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

libxml2 vulnerabilities

References

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