CVE-2021-45972: The giftrans function in giftrans 1.12.2 contains a stack-based buffer overflow because a value inside the inp

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HIGH 7.1WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2021-45972 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.1) affecting giftrans, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The giftrans function in giftrans 1.12.2 contains a stack-based buffer overflow because a value inside the input file determines the amount of data to write. This allows an attacker to overwrite up to 250 bytes outside of the allocated buffer with arbitrary data.

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	7.1 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 37%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-1284
Published	2022-01-01
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-01-01 21:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

giftrans project giftrans DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.12.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.12.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.12.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison giftrans sudo apt install giftrans=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.12.2> sudo apt-mark hold giftrans

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

dnf --showduplicates list giftrans sudo dnf downgrade giftrans-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.12.2> sudo dnf versionlock add giftrans

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: 9.0 · 10.0 · 11.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

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-2021-45972?

giftrans: 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-2021-45972 being exploited?

CVE-2021-45972 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-2021-45972 affect?

CVE-2021-45972 affects giftrans, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.1). The giftrans function in giftrans 1.12.2 contains a stack-based buffer overflow because a value inside the input file determines the amount of data to write. This allows an attacker to overwrite up to 250 bytes outside of the allocated buff

How urgent is CVE-2021-45972?

Priority 50/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

References

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