# CVE-2021-22204: ExifTool Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-22204-exiftool-remote-code-execution-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-11-17. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2021-22204 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-17

ExifTool fails to properly neutralize user data within the DjVu file format, leading to arbitrary code execution. An attacker can exploit this by providing a specially crafted malicious image for parsing.

Vendors: [Perl](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/perl).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2021-22204 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-22204 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 17 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-22204?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 17 November 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** ExifTool ExifTool 7.44 and up.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-22204?** A patch was published on 2021-04-13: GitHub commit cf0f4e7dcd024ca99615bfd1102a841a25dde031 fixes the issue. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2021-22204 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-22204?** Check whether you run Perl Exiftool. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- ExifTool ExifTool 7.44 and up

## Timeline

- 2021-04-13: patched: GitHub commit cf0f4e7dcd024ca99615bfd1102a841a25dde031 fixes the issue.
- 2021-11-17: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
- 2021-11-17: disclosed