CVE-2021-47313·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cpufreq: CPPC: Fix potential memleak in cppc_cpufreq_cpu_init It's a classic example of memleak, we allocate something, we fail and never free the resources. Make sure we free all resources on policy ->init() failures.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.13.4
- Published
- 2024-05-21
Affected versions
From: 5.13
Until: 5.13.4
Fixed in: 5.13.4
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 5.13.4 or later to patch a memory leak in the CPPC CPU frequency scaling driver. This vulnerability can cause kernel memory exhaustion over time, potentially leading to system instability or denial of service. Apply the kernel update and reboot your system to fully remediate this issue.
sudo dnf check-update kernel && sudo dnf update kernel && sudo rebootDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your kernel version with `uname -r` and verify if it falls within 5.13.0 to 5.13.3
- Step 2: Confirm CPPC support is enabled by checking `cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_driver` for 'cppc-cpufreq'
- Step 3: Monitor kernel memory usage over time using `free -h` and `cat /proc/meminfo` to identify unexplained memory growth patterns
- Step 4: After patching, verify the new kernel version with `uname -r` and reconfirm CPPC driver functionality with `dmesg | grep -i cppc`
FAQ
What is CVE-2021-47313?
This vulnerability is a memory leak in the Linux kernel's CPPC (Collaborative Processor Performance Control) CPU frequency scaling initialization code. When the driver fails during initialization, it fails to properly release allocated memory resources, causing gradual kernel memory exhaustion.
Is CVE-2021-47313 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and has no publicly available exploits. It requires local access and triggers only under specific initialization failure conditions.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2021-47313?
Linux kernel versions 5.13.0 through 5.13.3 are affected. Version 5.13.4 and all later kernel versions include the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2021-47313?
Run `uname -r` to see your kernel version. If it reports 5.13.0, 5.13.1, 5.13.2, or 5.13.3, your system is vulnerable. Additionally, check if CPPC scaling driver is active with `cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_driver`.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2021-47313?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2021-47313 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b775383355755885b19d2acef977f1ca132e80a3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e1b2b2b61d30d7ce057ec17237c217d152ed97f2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fe2535a44904a77615a3af8e8fd7dafb98fb0e1b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b775383355755885b19d2acef977f1ca132e80a3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e1b2b2b61d30d7ce057ec17237c217d152ed97f2
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