CVE-2021-38406
CVE-2021-38406 is a security flaw in Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2. Attackers can run their own code on Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 25 Aug 2022.[1]
Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2 is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff.
Description
CISA calls it an improper input validation in Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2. In its words: “Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2 lacks proper validation of user-supplied data when parsing specific project files (improper input validation) resulting in an out-of-bounds write that allows for code execution.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “Delta Electronic DOPSoft 2 (Version 2.00.07 and prior) lacks proper validation of user-supplied data when parsing specific project files. This could result in multiple out-of-bounds write instances. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process.”[2]
The underlying weakness is out-of-bounds write (CWE-787), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it. CISA names the product as Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2.
Most families won’t have Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 25 Aug 2022, 342 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 15 Sep 2022 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 76%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[3]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
CISA’s required action: “The impacted product is end-of-life and should be disconnected if still in use.”[1]
- Check whether you use it.Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2 is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
- Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed, or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 15 Sep 2022 to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.
You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 76%.[3] |
See also
Other out-of-bounds write flaws
- CVE-2026-86950, Apple devices: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-53266, Linux Kernel: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-87491, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: out of bounds write ·
- CVE-2026-53362, Linux Kernel: unspecified ·
- CVE-2022-0995, Linux Kernel: out-of-bounds write ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2022-26352, dotCMS: unrestricted upload of file ·
- CVE-2022-24706, Apache CouchDB: insecure default initialization of resource ·
- CVE-2022-24112, Apache APISIX: authentication bypass ·
- CVE-2022-22963, VMware Tanzu Spring Cloud: function remote code execution ·
- CVE-2022-2294, WebRTC: heap buffer overflow ·
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2 Improper Input Validation Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 25 Aug 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2021-38406 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.764, percentile 99.5, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2021-38406”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.