CASCACascade Atlas

Evidence dossier

CVE-2021-22204

Improper neutralization of user data in the DjVu file format in ExifTool versions 7.44 and up allows arbitrary code execution when parsing the malicious image

Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV since Nov 17, 2021). NVD reports CVSS 3.1 7.8. Severity assessments differ within at least one CVSS version. EPSS estimates 100.0% exploit likelihood as of Aug 26, 2026.

82.3–85.6Priority evidence range
Evidence current through Aug 27, 2026, 6:09 PM UTC

As of Aug 27, 2026

Normalized restatement

Improper neutralization of user data in the DjVu file format in ExifTool versions 7.44 and up allows arbitrary code execution when parsing the malicious image

State
PUBLISHED
Published
Apr 23, 2021
Updated
Oct 21, 2025
Evidence coverage
85%

Evidence chronology

What was known when

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  1. Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCA
    CISA-ADP

    Record text: CISA ADP Vulnrichment

    Inspect raw assertion
    Field
    container
    Value
    CISA ADP Vulnrichment
    Original evidence ↗
  2. Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCA
    CVE Program

    Record text: CVE Program Container

    Inspect raw assertion
    Field
    container
    Value
    CVE Program Container
    Original evidence ↗
  3. Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCA
    GitLab

    Record text: Improper neutralization of user data in the DjVu file format in ExifTool versions 7.44 and up allows arbitrary code execution when parsing the malicious image

    Inspect raw assertion
    Field
    container
    Value
    Improper neutralization of user data in the DjVu file format in ExifTool versions 7.44 and up allows arbitrary code execution when parsing the malicious image
    Original evidence ↗
  4. Source dateFirst observed by CASCA
    CISA KEV

    Exploitation cataloged: ExifTool Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

    Inspect raw assertion
    Field
    observed_exploitation
    Value
    ExifTool Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
    Original evidence ↗
  5. Source dateFirst observed by CASCA
    FIRST EPSS

    EPSS score: 99.98% probability · 99.98th percentile

    Inspect raw assertion
    Field
    model_probability
    Value
    Probability 0.999810000000; percentile 0.999810000000
    Original evidence ↗

Assessments differ

NVD7.8CVSS 3.1 · source date omitted
NVD6.8CVSS 2.0 · source date omitted
cve@gitlab.com6.8CVSS 3.1 · source date omitted

Values are shown separately by source and CVSS version.

ExploitationCatalog member

CISA KEV · catalog date Nov 17, 2021 · first observed Jul 19, 2026

Exploit likelihood99.98%

FIRST EPSS · score date Aug 26, 2026 · 100th percentile · first observed Aug 26, 2026

SeverityAssessments differ

NVD · CVSS 3.1 · first observed Jul 19, 2026 · values shown separately below

Evidence detail

Source limits and decisions

Why each evidence state has this value

casca-unknown-reasons-v1
Exploitation statusEvidence supported

Eligible evidence is present for this bounded claim.

Revision
evidence-policy-v1.1.0
Cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Resolution
None
Exploit likelihoodEvidence supported

Eligible evidence is present for this bounded claim.

Revision
evidence-policy-v1.1.0
Cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Resolution
None
Severity assessmentAssessments differ

Eligible assertions materially conflict and remain visible side by side.

Revision
casca-direct-cvss-eligibility-v1
Cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Resolution
Resolve conflict
Affected productsSource-reported scope

The cited source assertion is retained while canonical product linkage remains open.

Revision
casca-factor-d-obligations-v1
Cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Resolution
Resolve identity

Source comparison

Who said what

CISA-ADPIndependent enrichment
Record text

CISA ADP Vulnrichment

Inspect raw assertion
Field
container
Value
CISA ADP Vulnrichment
Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCAOriginal evidence ↗
CVE ProgramDerivative copy
Record text

CVE Program Container

Inspect raw assertion
Field
container
Value
CVE Program Container
Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCAOriginal evidence ↗
GitLabOriginal assertion
Record text

Improper neutralization of user data in the DjVu file format in ExifTool versions 7.44 and up allows arbitrary code execution when parsing the malicious image

Inspect raw assertion
Field
container
Value
Improper neutralization of user data in the DjVu file format in ExifTool versions 7.44 and up allows arbitrary code execution when parsing the malicious image
Source dateSource date omittedFirst observed by CASCAOriginal evidence ↗
CISA KEVOriginal assertion
Exploitation cataloged

ExifTool Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Inspect raw assertion
Field
observed_exploitation
Value
ExifTool Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Source dateFirst observed by CASCAOriginal evidence ↗
FIRST EPSSOriginal assertion
EPSS score

99.98% probability · 99.98th percentile

Inspect raw assertion
Field
model_probability
Value
Probability 0.999810000000; percentile 0.999810000000
Source dateFirst observed by CASCAOriginal evidence ↗

Applicability

Cited product scope

Trace impact →
6Underlying assertions
3Canonical products
6Target assertions
0Constraint assertions

Grouped from 3 configuration nodes in this exact snapshot. Visual grouping is navigational; asset exposure and root cause require cited evidence.

Identity source boundaries
  • Cpe dictionary1,775,266 records · observed through 2026-07-21T06:45:29.809Z27d65b0f-b718-4b4f-bb79-c47c68d09dfa
  • Cpe match643,502 records · observed through 2026-07-21T08:13:17.697Z955dae73-7302-438b-aee1-058d7cc5d48e

4 scope groups

GitLab · source assertedExifToolExifToolDirect source scope
Affected: >=7.44, <12.24
Source-reported scope

Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.

Inspect raw assertion[{"status": "affected", "version": ">=7.44, <12.24"}]
NVD CPE · OPERATING SYSTEMdebiandebian_linuxVulnerable target · 2 assertions
Version 10.0; Version 9.0Canonical identity product-3ccb4bc87dfae98fa2f2a06435fe5b3d9be78572fb958a89f2d7a96b4066447eLinked exact
Scope supported
Inspect raw assertions
  1. cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    1 · node/0 · match 0
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    deece5fc-cacf-4496-a3e7-164736409252
  2. cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    1 · node/0 · match 1
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    07b237a9-69a3-4a9c-9da0-4e06bd37ae73
NVD CPE · APPLICATIONexiftool_projectexiftoolVulnerable target · 1 assertions
Any version (unconstrained) (>= 7.44, < 12.24)Canonical identity product-1a974e0763aae56ecf8f6aa7dc1838f7f0c1b3b3db116e27c8789e85113ed4bcLinked exact
Scope supported
Inspect raw assertion
  1. cpe:2.3:a:exiftool_project:exiftool:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    0 · node/0 · match 0
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    from including 7.44; through excluding 12.24
    Match ID
    9c18c58a-4d97-41ac-a2e6-5983d3376107
NVD CPE · OPERATING SYSTEMfedoraprojectfedoraVulnerable target · 3 assertions
Version 32; Version 33; Version 34Canonical identity product-c96c7662a6606ed7594747da3d7ba9ee3a9758ab11658f6a3f42616361472e47Linked exact
Scope supported
Inspect raw assertions
  1. cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    2 · node/0 · match 1
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    e460aa51-fcda-46b9-ae97-e6676aa5e194
  2. cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    2 · node/0 · match 0
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    36d96259-24bd-44e2-96d9-78ce1d41f956
  3. cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    Official link
    Linked exact
    Role
    Vulnerable target
    Configuration
    2 · node/0 · match 2
    Logic
    OR
    Version bounds
    No explicit bounds
    Match ID
    a930e247-0b43-43cb-98ff-6ce7b8189835

Affected-product evidence

Accepted scope and product mapping

3 canonical links · 1 source-reported links

Mapping establishedEvidence supported

vendor-92790e1ae6b8a50e44168e9159365096c1ca457b5479816ecf91d9ee6931e749 · product-1a974e0763aae56ecf8f6aa7dc1838f7f0c1b3b3db116e27c8789e85113ed4bc

Source class
Nvd cpe vulnerable target
Assertions
1
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
5f0d0175-4855-4317-bb47-d89505dd6320
Mapping establishedEvidence supported

vendor-66ae8c5e06427f7450637d18322b0dc411c0b469d940341cf076a620d444fe3c · product-3ccb4bc87dfae98fa2f2a06435fe5b3d9be78572fb958a89f2d7a96b4066447e

Source class
Nvd cpe vulnerable target
Assertions
2
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
01ebd282-6991-4ace-8453-5351cfed0a6a0d24f207-8f95-4b44-b856-63efefc83b66
Mapping establishedEvidence supported

vendor-2d566b06907460b10e6e48c8544126e19f1d6df137983056edae8d0b51e34e45 · product-c96c7662a6606ed7594747da3d7ba9ee3a9758ab11658f6a3f42616361472e47

Source class
Nvd cpe vulnerable target
Assertions
3
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
65ad4b8f-12bc-48d7-87cc-4626c38d10db903e1b61-c2df-4f3f-bdf6-6b07d29119b3ffc45392-2731-4625-91e3-d1f288732b8f
Source-reported scopeSource-reported scope

Canonical linkage remains open; the cited source assertion is retained below.

Vendor specified only by source · Product specified only by source

Source class
Direct cve affected
Assertions
1
Mapping revision
cpe23-exact-mapping-v1
Observed cutoff
Aug 27, 2026
Retained assertion IDs
09f1917a-916c-44b2-8806-41ce6a673b1d

Assessments

CVSS by origin

7.8
NVDCVSS 3.1 · role Primary · priority eligiblevalid_matchCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8
NVDCVSS 2.0 · role Primary · priority eligiblevalid_matchAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
6.8
cve@gitlab.comCVSS 3.1 · role Secondary · priority eligiblevalid_matchCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
6.8
GitLabCVSS 3.1 · role unknown · display onlyDirect record assessment retained outside normalized eligibilityCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L

Direct CVE/CNA normalized decisions

6.8Priority eligible

GitLab

CVSS 3.1 · Primary · Original assertion · rank 1

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
Validation
Valid match
Recomputed
6.8
Decision reason
Evidence supported
Policy
casca-direct-cvss-eligibility-v1

Assessments are retained side by side under closed precedence. Cascade never averages CVSS.

Evidence boundaries

  • KEV membership is authoritative for the catalog, not proof of exposure in any environment.
  • EPSS is a dated model probability and not an individual-environment prediction.
  • Affected or fixed status applies only to the exact cited product and version scope; remaining scope stays source-scoped.
  • NVD-carried upstream facts remain derivative; independent corroboration requires a separately authored source.
  • Only NVD metrics validated under the generation-bound calculator are Public Priority eligible; direct CVE record metrics remain display-only.
  • NVD CVSS source eligibility is closed: NVD-authored, exact record-source, or registered same-CVE container origin; unmapped sources remain display-only.
  • Core replay supports the active and immediately prior generation; retrospective valid-at replay is deferred.
  • OSV aggregation and OSV-converted NVD material are not independent corroboration.
  • Red Hat facts are vendor assertions for the exact supplied products.
  • Nonmembership and not-yet-observed states are not proof of safety.