CVE-2021-46168: Spin v6.5.1 was discovered to contain an out-of-bounds write in lex() at spinlex.c.

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2021-46168 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting spin. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Spin v6.5.1 was discovered to contain an out-of-bounds write in lex() at spinlex.c.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 49%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2022-01-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: spinroot

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

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

spinroot spin DOWNGRADE

Affected: 6.5.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.5.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.5.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison spin sudo apt install spin=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.5.1> sudo apt-mark hold spin

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

dnf --showduplicates list spin sudo dnf downgrade spin-<VERSION_BEFORE_6.5.1> sudo dnf versionlock add spin

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-2021-46168?

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

Is CVE-2021-46168 being exploited?

CVE-2021-46168 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-2021-46168 affect?

CVE-2021-46168 affects spin. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Spin v6.5.1 was discovered to contain an out-of-bounds write in lex() at spinlex.c.

How urgent is CVE-2021-46168?

Priority 37/100. Public exploit reference

References

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