CVE-2021-47353·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: udf: Fix NULL pointer dereference in udf_symlink function In function udf_symlink, epos.bh is assigned with the value returned by udf_tgetblk. The function udf_tgetblk is defined in udf/misc.c and returns the value of sb_getblk function that could be NULL. Then, epos.bh is used without any check, causing a possible NULL pointer dereference when sb_getblk fails. This fix adds a check to validate the value of epos.bh.
- Severity
- medium
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.13.3
- Published
- 2024-05-21
Affected versions
From: 5.13
Until: 5.13.3
Fixed in: 5.13.3
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 5.13.3 or later to patch a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the UDF filesystem's symlink handling code. This issue occurs when the kernel fails to allocate memory for block operations, potentially causing a system crash. Apply security updates promptly to prevent denial-of-service conditions on systems using UDF filesystems.
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 compare against 5.13.3 — if your version is between 5.13.0 and 5.13.2, you are vulnerable
- Step 2: Verify UDF filesystem support is enabled with `grep CONFIG_UDF /boot/config-$(uname -r)` — if it returns 'y' or 'm', the vulnerable code is present
- Step 3: Search kernel logs for UDF-related failures using `dmesg | grep -i udf` or `journalctl -b | grep -i udf` — look for memory allocation failures or NULL pointer messages
- Step 4: After patching, confirm the new kernel is loaded with `uname -r` and verify it is 5.13.3 or later, then reboot if needed and run the same checks
FAQ
What is CVE-2021-47353?
This vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference in the Linux kernel's UDF filesystem implementation when symlink creation fails due to memory allocation issues. An attacker with local filesystem access could trigger this defect, causing a kernel panic or system denial of service.
Is CVE-2021-47353 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploits are available.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2021-47353?
Linux kernel versions 5.13.0 through 5.13.2 are affected; version 5.13.3 and all subsequent releases include the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2021-47353?
Run `uname -r` to check your kernel version — if it shows 5.13.0, 5.13.1, or 5.13.2, you are vulnerable. Additionally, confirm UDF support with `grep CONFIG_UDF /boot/config-$(uname -r)`.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2021-47353?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2021-47353 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/21bf1414580c36ffc8d8de043beb3508cf812238
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2f3d9ddd32a28803baa547e6274983b67d5e287c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3638705ecd5ad2785e996f820121c0ad15ce64b5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/371566f63cbd0bb6fbb25b8fe9d5798268d35af9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5150877e4d99f85057a458daac7cd7c01005d5c6
Track CVEs across your fleet automatically
Defensia scans your Linux servers and tells you exactly which ones are running vulnerable versions — including CVE-2021-47353. Free for 1 server.
Get started free