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CVE-2021-34557 · cross-distro fix matrix

CVE-2021-34557: XScreenSaver 5.45 can be bypassed if the machine has more than ten disconnectable video outputs. A buffer overflow in update_screen_layout() allows an attacker to bypass the standard screen lock authentication mechanism by crashing XScreenSaver. The attacker must physically disconnect many video out

Affects 8 Linux releases across 8 (distro × package) combinations.

Fix per ecosystem

Each block below is a distro release where CVE-2021-34557 has a known fix. Run the listed command on that distro to remediate.

Debian bullseye

Source: Debian Security Tracker

  • xscreensaver→ fixed in5.45+dfsg1-2urgency: not yet assigned
    sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade -y xscreensaver

Debian bookworm

Source: Debian Security Tracker

  • xscreensaver→ fixed in5.45+dfsg1-2urgency: not yet assigned
    sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade -y xscreensaver

Debian trixie

Source: Debian Security Tracker

  • xscreensaver→ fixed in5.45+dfsg1-2urgency: not yet assigned
    sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade -y xscreensaver

Alpine v3.20

Source: Alpine secdb

  • xscreensaver→ fixed in6.02-r0
    apk update && apk add --upgrade xscreensaver

Alpine v3.21

Source: Alpine secdb

  • xscreensaver→ fixed in6.02-r0
    apk update && apk add --upgrade xscreensaver

Alpine edge

Source: Alpine secdb

  • xscreensaver→ fixed in6.02-r0
    apk update && apk add --upgrade xscreensaver

Alpine v3.18

Source: Alpine secdb

  • xscreensaver→ fixed in6.02-r0
    apk update && apk add --upgrade xscreensaver

Alpine v3.19

Source: Alpine secdb

  • xscreensaver→ fixed in6.02-r0
    apk update && apk add --upgrade xscreensaver
Are YOU affected by CVE-2021-34557?

5-second check on your actual server. Reads /etc/os-release, uname -r, and the distro's package manager; matches against this same cross-source index live.

curl https://mindsparkstack.com/scan.sh | bash
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