Vulnerability in Privoxy: CVE-2021-44541

privoxy Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

23/12/2021
N/A
Yes i
High
7.5

CVE-2021-44541: A vulnerability was found in Privoxy which was fixed in process_encrypted_request_headers() by freeing header memory when failing to get the request destination. Affects privoxy versions < 3.0.33-r0. Fixed in 3.0.33-r0. How to fix ↓

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Background

Privoxy is an open-source web proxy server that provides advanced filtering capabilities for enhancing privacy, security, and anonymity while browsing the internet. It acts as an intermediary between the user's device and the websites they visit, allowing for the modification and filtering of web content. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in Privoxy that could potentially compromise the security of the system it is installed on.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2021-44541, arises from a flaw in the process_encrypted_request_headers() function of Privoxy. This vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit a memory management issue, leading to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. Specifically, the header memory is not properly freed when the request destination cannot be obtained. This can result in resource exhaustion and potentially impact the availability of the Privoxy service.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

3.0.33-r0

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apk add --upgrade privoxy

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Workaround

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to apply the official fix by updating Privoxy to the patched version.

Conclusion

The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-44541 in Privoxy poses a risk of denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is essential to update Privoxy to version 3.0.33-r0 or later. No known workarounds are available, and users should follow the official update instructions provided by the Privoxy project. For further support and assistance with vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

Privoxy is an open-source web proxy server that enhances privacy, security, and anonymity while browsing the internet. It acts as an intermediary between the user's device and the websites they visit, allowing for content filtering and modification.

The vulnerability can lead to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition in Privoxy, potentially impacting the availability of the service. It does not allow for remote code execution or unauthorized access to sensitive information.

You can use the Vulert Playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your version of Privoxy is affected by CVE-2021-44541. Simply upload your manifest file, such as package-lock.json, and the tool will provide real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.

No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is crucial to update Privoxy to the patched version to mitigate the risk.

For more information about the fix and the update process, refer to the official documentation and release notes provided by the Privoxy project.

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Recent vulnerabilities recorded for privoxy.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

3.0.33-r0

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apk add --upgrade privoxy

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