CVE-2021-38003
HighExploitedPublic exploitInappropriate implementation in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 95.0.4638.69 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
Published Dec 15, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2021-38003, UBUNTU-CVE-2021-38003
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2021-38003 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting Chrome (Google), Debian Linux, Fedora (Fedoraproject) and 20 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 26, 2021. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 39% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Chrome 95.0.4638.69, chromedriver 95.0.4638.69-1.1, chromedriver 95.0.4638.69-bp153.2.40.3.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
8.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
39%
Higher than 98.5% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2021-38003 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
Inappropriate implementation in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 95.0.4638.69 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Oct 26, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Nov 3, 2021 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
57 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| ChromeGoogle | >= unspecified | 95.0.4638.69 |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 10.0, 11.0 | n/a |
| FedoraFedoraproject | 34 | n/a |
| chromiumarch | See advisory | 95.0.4638.69-1 |
| operaarch | See advisory | 81.0.4196.54-1 |
Patched Releases
Chrome
95.0.4638.69
chromedriver
95.0.4638.69-1.1, 95.0.4638.69-bp153.2.40.3
chromium
95.0.4638.69-1, 95.0.4638.69-1.1, 95.0.4638.69-bp153.2.40.3, 97.0.4692.71-0.1, 97.0.4692.71-0.1~deb11u1
chromium-browser
95.0.4638.69-0ubuntu0.18.04.1
libqt5-qtpdf-devel
5.15.8-1.1
libqt5-qtpdf-examples
5.15.8-1.1
libqt5-qtpdf-imports
5.15.8-1.1
libqt5-qtpdf-private-headers-devel
5.15.8-1.1
libqt5-qtwebengine
5.15.8-1.1
libqt5-qtwebengine-devel
5.15.8-1.1
libqt5-qtwebengine-examples
5.15.8-1.1
libqt5-qtwebengine-private-headers-devel
5.15.8-1.1
libQt5Pdf5
5.15.8-1.1
libQt5PdfWidgets5
5.15.8-1.1
nodejs-electron
13.6.2-1.1, 16.0.9-bp153.2.1
nodejs-electron-devel
16.0.9-bp153.2.1
opera
81.0.4196.54-1, 83.0.4254.27-lp153.2.33.1, 85.0.4341.28-lp154.2.5.1
qt5-qtwebengine
5.15.3_git20211112-r1, 5.15.3_git20211127-r0
ungoogled-chromium
113.0.5672.92-1.1
ungoogled-chromium-chromedriver
113.0.5672.92-1.1
vivaldi
5.0.2497.24-1
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Oct 26, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to CIRCL KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to ENISA EUVD
Nov 3, 2021
Publicly disclosed
Dec 15, 2021
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-755 Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions
References
- advisoryhttps://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2021/12/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_13.html
- advisoryhttps://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/google-chrome-releases-emergency-update-to-fix-multiple-security-vulnerabilities-7673638/
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2021-38003
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2021-38003
- advisoryhttps://us-cert.cisa.gov/
FAQ
Common Questions.
Inappropriate implementation in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 95.0.4638.69 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
Affected: Chrome (Google) versions >= unspecified; Debian Linux versions 10.0, 11.0; Fedora (Fedoraproject) versions 34, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Oct 26, 2021.
Yes. It was added on Nov 3, 2021 with a federal remediation due date of Nov 17, 2021.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Chrome 95.0.4638.69, chromedriver 95.0.4638.69-1.1, chromedriver 95.0.4638.69-bp153.2.40.3.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Is CVE-2021-38003 Running On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense maps vulnerabilities like this one to your internet-facing assets and tells you exactly where to patch.
Request A Demo