CVE-2021-36770
perl-Encode: bug in local configuration loading allows arbitrary Perl code execution placed under the current working directory
Severity
ImportantRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.1
Review impact separately from score.
Published · August 9, 2021
Updated · November 21, 2025
Description
A flaw was found in perl-Encode, where the Perl5 Encode module loaded modules within the current directory. This flaw allows an attacker with write access to the current directory of a Perl5 process to inject arbitrary Perl code when this module is loaded, which can be used for a local privilege escalation. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to confidentiality, integrity, as well as system availability.
Statement
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 and 8 (including Software Collection) provide older versions of Perl and the Encode library, which are not affected by this flaw.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
Red Hat has investigated whether a possible mitigation exists for this issue, and has not been able to identify a practical example. Please update the affected package as soon as possible.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.1 · 7.8CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE-426 · Untrusted Search Path