# CVE-2021-4034: Red Hat Polkit Out-of-Bounds Read and Write Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-4034-red-hat-polkit-out-of-bounds-read-and-write-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-06-27. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2021-4034 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-06-27

The pkexec utility in polkit incorrectly handles calling parameter counts, allowing an attacker to craft environment variables that induce the application to execute arbitrary code. This out-of-bounds read and write vulnerability enables a local unprivileged user to escalate their privileges to administrative (root) rights.

Technologies: [Red Hat Polkit](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/polkit). Vendors: [Red Hat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/red-hat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2021-4034 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-4034 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 27 June 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-4034?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 27 June 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Red Hat polkit pkexec utility; freedesktop.org polkit pkexec utility; StarWind Software Command Center 1.0 update3 build 5871; StarWind Software StarWind Virtual SAN v8 build 14338.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-4034?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2021-4034 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-4034?** Check whether you run Red Hat Polkit. 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

- Red Hat polkit pkexec utility
- freedesktop.org polkit pkexec utility
- StarWind Software Command Center 1.0 update3 build 5871
- StarWind Software StarWind Virtual SAN v8 build 14338

## Timeline

- 2022-01-25: disclosed: Qualys security advisory published
- 2022-06-27: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-06-27: advisory: NVD publication date

## Related threats

- [Red Hat Polkit Incorrect Authorization Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-3560-red-hat-polkit-incorrect-authorization-vulnerability)