CVE-2021-47332·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: usx2y: Don't call free_pages_exact() with NULL address Unlike some other functions, we can't pass NULL pointer to free_pages_exact(). Add a proper NULL check for avoiding possible Oops.
- Severity
- medium
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.13.4
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at <0.1% — higher than 5% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
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 resolve this memory management vulnerability in the ALSA USB Yx2 audio driver. The vulnerability allows local users with limited privileges to trigger a kernel panic by causing incorrect memory deallocation. Systems running kernel versions 5.13 through 5.13.3 should prioritize this update.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia 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 to 5.13.3
- Step 2: Confirm ALSA USB audio drivers are loaded by running `lsmod | grep snd_usx2y`
- Step 3: Search system logs for kernel Oops or panic messages related to free_pages_exact: `sudo grep -i 'free_pages_exact\|Kernel panic' /var/log/kern.log /var/log/syslog 2>/dev/null`
- Step 4: After updating, verify the new kernel is loaded with `uname -r` and confirm it is 5.13.4 or later
FAQ
What is CVE-2021-47332?
This vulnerability is a kernel memory management flaw in the ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) USB Yx2 audio driver where NULL pointer validation was missing before calling free_pages_exact(), allowing local attackers to crash the system.
Is CVE-2021-47332 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploits are currently available.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2021-47332?
Linux kernel versions 5.13 through 5.13.3 are affected. The fix was introduced in kernel 5.13.4.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2021-47332?
Run `uname -r` to check your kernel version. If it shows 5.13.0 through 5.13.3, your system is vulnerable. Additionally, check if ALSA USB audio drivers are active with `lsmod | grep snd_usx2y`.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2021-47332?
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-2021-47332 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d7f30cf182e55023fa8fde4c084b2d37c6be69d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/82e5ee742fdd8874fe996181b87fafe1eb5f1196
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/88262229b778f4f7a896da828d966f94dcb35d19
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bee295f5e03510252d18b25cc1d26230256eb87a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cae0cf651adccee2c3f376e78f30fbd788d0829f
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