CVE-2021-29428
Local privilege escalation through system temporary directory
In Gradle before version 7.0, on Unix-like systems, the system temporary directory can be created with open permissions that allow multiple users to create and delete files within it. Gradle builds could be vulnerable to a local privilege escalation from an attacker quickly deleting and recreating files in the system temporary directory. This vulnerability impacted builds using precompiled script plugins written in Kotlin DSL and tests for Gradle plugins written using ProjectBuilder or TestKit. If you are on Windows or modern versions of macOS, you are not vulnerable. If you are on a Unix-like operating system with the "sticky" bit set on your system temporary directory, you are not vulnerable. The problem has been patched and released with Gradle 7.0. As a workaround, on Unix-like operating systems, ensure that the "sticky" bit is set. This only allows the original user (or root) to delete a file. If you are unable to change the permissions of the system temporary directory, you can move the Java temporary directory by setting the System Property java.io.tmpdir. The new path needs to limit permissions to the build user only. For additional details refer to the referenced GitHub Security Advisory.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
8.8
Local privilege escalation through system temporary directory
In Gradle before version 7.0, on Unix-like systems, the system temporary directory can be created with open permissions that allow multiple users to create and delete files within it. Gradle builds could be vulnerable to a local privilege escalation from an attacker quickly deleting and recreating files in the system temporary directory. This vulnerability impacted builds using precompiled script plugins written in Kotlin DSL and tests for Gradle plugins written using ProjectBuilder or TestKit. If you are on Windows or modern versions of macOS, you are not vulnerable. If you are on a Unix-like operating system with the "sticky" bit set on your system temporary directory, you are not vulnerable. The problem has been patched and released with Gradle 7.0. As a workaround, on Unix-like operating systems, ensure that the "sticky" bit is set. This only allows the original user (or root) to delete a file. If you are unable to change the permissions of the system temporary directory, you can move the Java temporary directory by setting the System Property java.io.tmpdir. The new path needs to limit permissions to the build user only. For additional details refer to the referenced GitHub Security Advisory.
- Record
CVE-2021-29428- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-379, CWE-378
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-16059
8.8
In Gradle before version 7.0, on Unix-like systems, the system temporary directory can be created with open permissions that allow multiple users to create and delete files within it. Gradle builds could be vulnerable to a local privilege escalation from an attacker quickly deleting and recreating files in the system temporary directory. This vulnerability impacted builds using precompiled script plugins written in Kotlin DSL and tests for Gradle plugins written using ProjectBuilder or TestKit. If you are on Windows or modern versions of macOS, you are not vulnerable. If you are on a Unix-like operating system with the "sticky" bit set on your system temporary directory, you are not vulnerable. The problem has been patched and released with Gradle 7.0. As a workaround, on Unix-like operating systems, ensure that the "sticky" bit is set. This only allows the original user (or root) to delete a file. If you are unable to change the permissions of the system temporary directory, you can move the Java temporary directory by setting the System Property java.io.tmpdir. The new path needs to limit permissions to the build user only. For additional details refer to the referenced GitHub Security Advisory.
- Record
EUVD-2021-16059- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
8.8
In Gradle before version 7.0, on Unix-like systems, the system temporary directory can be created with open permissions that allow multiple users to create and delete files within it. Gradle builds could be vulnerable to a local privilege escalation from an attacker quickly deleting and recreating files in the system temporary directory. This vulnerability impacted builds using precompiled script plugins written in Kotlin DSL and tests for Gradle plugins written using ProjectBuilder or TestKit. If you are on Windows or modern versions of macOS, you are not vulnerable. If you are on a Unix-like operating system with the "sticky" bit set on your system temporary directory, you are not vulnerable. The problem has been patched and released with Gradle 7.0. As a workaround, on Unix-like operating systems, ensure that the "sticky" bit is set. This only allows the original user (or root) to delete a file. If you are unable to change the permissions of the system temporary directory, you can move the Java temporary directory by setting the System Property java.io.tmpdir. The new path needs to limit permissions to the build user only. For additional details refer to the referenced GitHub Security Advisory.
- Record
CVE-2021-29428- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 4.4 Medium
AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P - Weakness
- CWE-378, CWE-379
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
7.8
In Gradle before version 7.0, on Unix-like systems, the system temporary directory can be created with open permissions that allow multiple users to create and delete files within it. Gradle builds could be vulnerable to a local privilege escalation from an attacker quickly deleting and recreating files in the system temporary directory. This vulnerability impacted builds using precompiled script plugins written in Kotlin DSL and tests for Gradle plugins written using ProjectBuilder or TestKit. If you are on Windows or modern versions of macOS, you are not vulnerable. If you are on a Unix-like operating system with the "sticky" bit set on your system temporary directory, you are not vulnerable. The problem has been patched and released with Gradle 7.0. As a workaround, on Unix-like operating systems, ensure that the "sticky" bit is set. This only allows the original user (or root) to delete a file. If you are unable to change the permissions of the system temporary directory, you can move the Java temporary directory by setting the System Property java.io.tmpdir. The new path needs to limit permissions to the build user only. For additional details refer to the referenced GitHub Security Advisory.
- Record
CVE-2021-29428- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2021-29428
7.8
In Gradle before version 7.0, on Unix-like systems, the system temporary directory can be created with open permissions that allow multiple users to create and delete files within it. Gradle builds could be vulnerable to a local privilege escalation from an attacker quickly deleting and recreating files in the system temporary directory. This vulnerability impacted builds using precompiled script plugins written in Kotlin DSL and tests for Gradle plugins written using ProjectBuilder or TestKit. If you are on Windows or modern versions of macOS, you are not vulnerable. If you are on a Unix-like operating system with the "sticky" bit set on your system temporary directory, you are not vulnerable. The problem has been patched and released with Gradle 7.0. As a workaround, on Unix-like operating systems, ensure that the "sticky" bit is set. This only allows the original user (or root) to delete a file. If you are unable to change the permissions of the system temporary directory, you can move the Java temporary directory by setting the System Property java.io.tmpdir. The new path needs to limit permissions to the build user only. For additional details refer to the referenced GitHub Security Advisory.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2021-29428- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2021-29428
8.8
In Gradle before version 7.0, on Unix-like systems, the system temporary directory can be created with open permissions that allow multiple users to create and delete files within it. Gradle builds could be vulnerable to a local privilege escalation from an attacker quickly deleting and recreating files in the system temporary directory. This vulnerability impacted builds using precompiled script plugins written in Kotlin DSL and tests for Gradle plugins written using ProjectBuilder or TestKit. If you are on Windows or modern versions of macOS, you are not vulnerable. If you are on a Unix-like operating system with the "sticky" bit set on your system temporary directory, you are not vulnerable. The problem has been patched and released with Gradle 7.0. As a workaround, on Unix-like operating systems, ensure that the "sticky" bit is set. This only allows the original user (or root) to delete a file. If you are unable to change the permissions of the system temporary directory, you can move the Java temporary directory by setting the System Property java.io.tmpdir. The new path needs to limit permissions to the build user only. For additional details refer to the referenced GitHub Security Advisory.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2021-29428- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVBIT-gradle-2021-29428 No score
Local privilege escalation through system temporary directory
In Gradle before version 7.0, on Unix-like systems, the system temporary directory can be created with open permissions that allow multiple users to create and delete files within it. Gradle builds could be vulnerable to a local privilege escalation from an attacker quickly deleting and recreating files in the system temporary directory. This vulnerability impacted builds using precompiled script plugins written in Kotlin DSL and tests for Gradle plugins written using ProjectBuilder or TestKit. If you are on Windows or modern versions of macOS, you are not vulnerable. If you are on a Unix-like operating system with the "sticky" bit set on your system temporary directory, you are not vulnerable. The problem has been patched and released with Gradle 7.0. As a workaround, on Unix-like operating systems, ensure that the "sticky" bit is set. This only allows the original user (or root) to delete a file. If you are unable to change the permissions of the system temporary directory, you can move the Java temporary directory by setting the System Property java.io.tmpdir. The new path needs to limit permissions to the build user only. For additional details refer to the referenced GitHub Security Advisory.
- Record
BIT-gradle-2021-29428- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2023:1867-1 No score
Security update for gradle
This update for gradle fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2021-29428: Fixed a local privilege escalation through system temporary directory. (bsc#1184807)
- Record
SUSE-SU-2023:1867-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
gradleBitnami |
before 7.0.0 | 7.0.0 |
gradleDebian:12 |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.4.1-184.4.1-194.4.1-204.4.1-214.4.1-22 Show 5 moreShow less4.4.1-234.5.1-14.6-14.6-24.6-3 |
None known |
gradleDebian:13 |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.4.1-224.4.1-234.5.1-14.6-14.6-24.6-3 |
None known |
gradleDebian:14 |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.4.1-224.4.1-234.5.1-14.6-14.6-24.6-3 |
None known |
gradleSUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP4 |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleSUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2-LTSS |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleSUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3-ESPOS |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleSUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3-LTSS |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleSUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP3 |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2-LTSS |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
Show 14 moreShow less
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
gradleSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3-LTSS |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP2 |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP3 |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleSUSE:Enterprise Storage 7 |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleSUSE:Enterprise Storage 7.1 |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleopenSUSE:Leap 15.4 |
before 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 | 4.4.1-150200.3.7.1 |
gradleUbuntu:16.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 2.5-32.7-12.7-22.7-32.10-1 |
None known |
gradleUbuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 3.2.1-3build23.2.1-43.2.1-53.4.1-43.4.1-63.4.1-7ubuntu14.4.1-5ubuntu2~18.044.4.1-5ubuntu2~18.04+esm1 |
None known |
gradleUbuntu:20.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.4.1-84.4.1-94.4.1-10 |
None known |
gradleUbuntu:22.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.4.1-13 |
None known |
gradleUbuntu:24.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.4.1-184.4.1-20 |
None known |
gradleUbuntu:25.10 |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.4.1-22 |
None known |
gradleUbuntu:26.10 |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.4.1-22ubuntu14.4.1-23 |
None known |
gradleUbuntu:26.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 4.4.1-224.4.1-22build14.4.1-22ubuntu1 |
None known |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2021-29428 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.8) in Gradle, published April 13, 2021. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.54%, the 45th percentile. Fixed in gradle 7.0.0.