CVE-2021-45444

In zsh before 5.8.1, an attacker can achieve code execution if they control a command output inside the prompt, as demonstrated by a %F argument. This occurs because of recursive PROMPT_SUBST expansion.

CVSS 7.8 · High

External lookup

Potential internet exposure

Potential exposure only — not proof of vulnerability.Shodan results indicate potentially internet-exposed products, not confirmed vulnerable systems. They do not confirm that any returned system is vulnerable to CVE-2021-45444.

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Product CPE queries

Derived from this CVE's existing NVD CPE 2.3 records; the application, operating-system, or hardware part is retained.

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Exact CVE query

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Metadata

Canonical fields

NVD status

Unavailable

Published

Feb 14, 2022

Modified

Jun 17, 2026

Official record

Authoritative NVD record

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE IDs

Unavailable

Vendor classifications

How this vector reads

CVSS 3.1 base metrics decoded below. This explanation does not recalculate or change the NVD score.

Attack Vector (AV): Local. The attacker needs local access to the vulnerable system.
Attack Complexity (AC): Low. No special conditions beyond the attacker-controlled steps are required.
Privileges Required (PR): None. The attacker needs no privileges on the vulnerable system.
User Interaction (UI): Required. Another user must take an action for exploitation to succeed.
Scope (S): Unchanged. Impacts remain within the vulnerable security authority.
Confidentiality Impact (C): High. There is a total or serious impact to this security property.
Integrity Impact (I): High. There is a total or serious impact to this security property.
Availability Impact (A): High. There is a total or serious impact to this security property.

Signals

Exploitation indicators

0 stored signals · no KEV · 0 OTX pulses