What is CVE-2021-21386?

CVE-2021-21386 is a critical-severity OS command injection vulnerability in APKLeaks (pip), affecting versions < 2.0.4. It is fixed in 2.0.4. Untrusted input reaches a shell command, allowing arbitrary commands to run on the host.

How severe is CVE-2021-21386?

CVE-2021-21386 has a CVSS score of 9.3 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.

Which versions of APKLeaks are affected by CVE-2021-21386?

APKLeaks (pip) versions < 2.0.4 is affected.

Is there a fix for CVE-2021-21386?

Yes. CVE-2021-21386 is fixed in 2.0.4. Upgrade to this version or later.

Is CVE-2021-21386 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2021-21386 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk.

What actually determines whether CVE-2021-21386 is exploitable, and how bad it is?

Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.

CVE-2021-21386 in APKLeaks

Q: How severe is CVE-2021-21386?

CVE-2021-21386 has a CVSS score of 9.3 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.

Q: Which versions of APKLeaks are affected by CVE-2021-21386?

APKLeaks (pip) versions < 2.0.4 is affected.

Q: Is there a fix for CVE-2021-21386?

Yes. CVE-2021-21386 is fixed in 2.0.4. Upgrade to this version or later.

Q: Is CVE-2021-21386 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2021-21386 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk.

Q: What actually determines whether CVE-2021-21386 is exploitable, and how bad it is?

Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-21386?

Upgrade APKLeaks to 2.0.4 or later.

Summary

Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Decompiling Package Process in APKLeaks

APKLeaks prior to v2.0.4 allows remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via package name inside the application manifest.

References

a966e781499ff6fd4eea66876d7532301b13a382

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:

Email me at [email protected]

Impact

An authenticated attacker could include arguments that allow unintended commands or code to be executed, allow sensitive data to be read or modified, or could cause other unintended behavior through malicious package names.

Untrusted input reaches a shell command, allowing arbitrary commands to run on the host. Typical impact: code execution in the application's environment.

CVE-2021-21386 has a CVSS score of 9.3 (Critical). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and user interaction required. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (2.0.4); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Affected versions

APKLeaks (< 2.0.4)

Security releases

APKLeaks → 2.0.4 (pip)

Kodem intelligence

Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.

Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.

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Remediation advice

Upgrade APKLeaks to 2.0.4 or later to resolve this vulnerability.

Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-21386? CVE-2021-21386 is a critical-severity OS command injection vulnerability in APKLeaks (pip), affecting versions < 2.0.4. It is fixed in 2.0.4. Untrusted input reaches a shell command, allowing arbitrary commands to run on the host.
How severe is CVE-2021-21386? CVE-2021-21386 has a CVSS score of 9.3 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
Which versions of APKLeaks are affected by CVE-2021-21386? APKLeaks (pip) versions < 2.0.4 is affected.
Is there a fix for CVE-2021-21386? Yes. CVE-2021-21386 is fixed in 2.0.4. Upgrade to this version or later.
Is CVE-2021-21386 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2021-21386 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
What actually determines whether CVE-2021-21386 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
How do I fix CVE-2021-21386? Upgrade APKLeaks to 2.0.4 or later.