CVE-2021-47287·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: driver core: auxiliary bus: Fix memory leak when driver_register() fail If driver_register() returns with error we need to free the memory allocated for auxdrv->driver.name before returning from __auxiliary_driver_register()
- Severity
- medium
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.13.6
- Published
- 2024-05-21
Affected versions
From: 5.11
Until: 5.13.6
Fixed in: 5.13.6
How to fix this CVE
CVE-2021-47287 is a memory leak in the Linux kernel's auxiliary bus driver registration path that occurs when driver_register() fails. Update your kernel to version 5.13.6 or later to ensure proper cleanup of allocated memory in error conditions. This prevents potential denial of service through resource exhaustion over extended system uptime.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check your current kernel version: uname -r
- Verify if kernel version falls within 5.11.x to 5.13.5 range (vulnerable versions)
- Review kernel logs for auxiliary driver registration failures: grep -i 'auxiliary' /var/log/kern.log or journalctl -k | grep auxiliary
- Confirm the patch is applied by checking if kernel >= 5.13.6: uname -r | awk -F. '{if ($1==5 && $2==13 && $3>=6) print "Patched"}'
- Inspect system memory usage trends over time to detect gradual memory leak patterns: watch -n 5 'free -h'
FAQ
What is CVE-2021-47287?
This vulnerability is a memory leak in the Linux kernel's auxiliary bus driver registration subsystem. When the driver_register() function fails, allocated memory for the driver name is not freed, causing gradual memory exhaustion.
Is CVE-2021-47287 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploit code is available. However, it can still impact system stability through resource exhaustion.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2021-47287?
Linux kernel versions 5.11 through 5.13.5 are vulnerable. The fix was included starting with kernel version 5.13.6.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2021-47287?
Run 'uname -r' to display your kernel version. If it shows 5.11.x through 5.13.5, your system is vulnerable and requires immediate patching.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2021-47287?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2021-47287 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
Track CVEs across your fleet automatically
Defensia scans your Linux servers and tells you exactly which ones are running vulnerable versions — including CVE-2021-47287. Free for 1 server.
Get started free