# CVE-2021-21943: Memory corruption in ImageGear

> A heap-based buffer overflow in the XWD parser allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious file.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 14 Apr 2022
- **Updated:** 15 Apr 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-7p2m-7xhq-7v45

## What is CVE-2021-21943?

CVE-2021-21943 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Accusoft Imagegear, published on 14 Apr 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the XWD parser functionality of Accusoft ImageGear 19.10. A specially-crafted file can lead to code execution. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-1284 (Improper Validation of Specified Quantity in Input), CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-21943?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Accusoft Imagegear.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-21943?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-21943 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-21943 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-21943 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in Accusoft Imagegear

- [CVE-2023-32653](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-32653/): Memory corruption in ImageGear (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-35002](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35002/): Memory corruption in ImageGear (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-39453](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-39453/): Use after free in ImageGear (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-40163](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-40163/): Memory corruption in ImageGear (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-32588](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-32588/): Memory corruption in ImageGear (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-21943 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-21943 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Accusoft Imagegear, published on 14 Apr 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-21943 exists.

Affected product: Accusoft Imagegear. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-21943/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-21943/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-21943
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-21943
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-21943

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-21943/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.