CVE-2021-42694: An issue was discovered in the character definitions of the Unicode Specification through 14.0

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-42694?

unicode: upgrade to 14.0.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-42694 being exploited?

CVE-2021-42694 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-42694 affect?

CVE-2021-42694 affects unicode. Severity is high (CVSS 8.3). An issue was discovered in the character definitions of the Unicode Specification through 14.0. The specification allows an adversary to produce source code identifiers such as function names using homoglyphs that render visually identical

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-42694?

Priority 57/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 8.3UPGRADE

CVE-2021-42694 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.3) affecting unicode. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in the character definitions of the Unicode Specification through 14.0. The specification allows an adversary to produce source code identifiers such as function names using homoglyphs that render visually identical to a target identifier. Adversaries can leverage this to inject code via adversarial identifier definitions in upstream software dependencies invoked deceptively in downstream software. NOTE: the Unicode Consor

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.3 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	4.9% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-94
Published	2021-11-01
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: unicode

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-11-01 04:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

unicode unicode UPGRADE

Affected: < 14.0.0

Fixed in: 14.0.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 14.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade unicode

Note

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

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-2021-42694?

unicode: upgrade to 14.0.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-42694 being exploited?

CVE-2021-42694 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-2021-42694 affect?

CVE-2021-42694 affects unicode. Severity is high (CVSS 8.3). An issue was discovered in the character definitions of the Unicode Specification through 14.0. The specification allows an adversary to produce source code identifiers such as function names using homoglyphs that render visually identical

How urgent is CVE-2021-42694?

Priority 57/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2021-42574 HIGH 8.3 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in the Bidirectional Algorithm in the Unicode Specification through 14.0

References

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