What is CVE-2021-40720?

CVE-2021-40720 is a critical-severity insecure deserialization vulnerability in ops-cli (pip), affecting versions <= 2.0.4. It is fixed in 2.0.5. Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect.

How severe is CVE-2021-40720?

CVE-2021-40720 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (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 ops-cli are affected by CVE-2021-40720?

ops-cli (pip) versions <= 2.0.4 is affected.

Is there a fix for CVE-2021-40720?

Yes. CVE-2021-40720 is fixed in 2.0.5. Upgrade to this version or later.

Is CVE-2021-40720 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2021-40720 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-2021-40720 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-2021-40720 in ops-cli

Q: How severe is CVE-2021-40720?

CVE-2021-40720 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (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 ops-cli are affected by CVE-2021-40720?

ops-cli (pip) versions <= 2.0.4 is affected.

Q: Is there a fix for CVE-2021-40720?

Yes. CVE-2021-40720 is fixed in 2.0.5. Upgrade to this version or later.

Q: Is CVE-2021-40720 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2021-40720 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-2021-40720 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-2021-40720?

Upgrade ops-cli to 2.0.5 or later.

Summary

Ops CLI Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability

Ops CLI version 2.0.4 (and earlier) is affected by a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution when the checkout_repo function is called on a maliciously crafted file. An attacker can leverage this to execute arbitrary code on the victim machine.

Impact

Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect. Typical impact: arbitrary code execution or logic abuse.

CVE-2021-40720 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and no user interaction. 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 (2.0.5); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Affected versions

ops-cli (<= 2.0.4)

Security releases

ops-cli → 2.0.5 (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 ops-cli to 2.0.5 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-2021-40720? CVE-2021-40720 is a critical-severity insecure deserialization vulnerability in ops-cli (pip), affecting versions <= 2.0.4. It is fixed in 2.0.5. Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect.
How severe is CVE-2021-40720? CVE-2021-40720 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (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 ops-cli are affected by CVE-2021-40720? ops-cli (pip) versions <= 2.0.4 is affected.
Is there a fix for CVE-2021-40720? Yes. CVE-2021-40720 is fixed in 2.0.5. Upgrade to this version or later.
Is CVE-2021-40720 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2021-40720 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-2021-40720 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-2021-40720? Upgrade ops-cli to 2.0.5 or later.