CVE-2021-47483·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: regmap: Fix possible double-free in regcache_rbtree_exit() In regcache_rbtree_insert_to_block(), when 'present' realloc failed, the 'blk' which is supposed to assign to 'rbnode->block' will be freed, so 'rbnode->block' points a freed memory, in the error handling path of regcache_rbtree_init(), 'rbnode->block' will be freed again in regcache_rbtree_exit(), KASAN will report double-free as follows: BUG: KASAN: double-free or invalid-free in kfree+0xce/0x390 Call Trace: slab_free_freelist_hook+0x10d/0x240 kfree+0xce/0x390 regcache_rbtree_exit+0x15d/0x1a0 regcache_rbtree_init+0x224/0x2c0 regcache_init+0x88d/0x1310 __regmap_init+0x3151/0x4a80 __devm_regmap_init+0x7d/0x100 madera_spi_probe+0x10f/0x333 [madera_spi] spi_probe+0x183/0x210 really_probe+0x285/0xc30 To fix this, moving up the assignment of rbnode->block to immediately after the reallocation has succeeded so that the data structure stays valid even if the second reallocation fails.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.14.16
- Published
- 2024-05-22
Affected versions
From: 5.11
Until: 5.14.16
Fixed in: 5.14.16
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 5.14.16 or later to resolve a critical double-free memory vulnerability in the regmap red-black tree cache implementation. This vulnerability can cause kernel memory corruption and system instability when regcache initialization fails. Apply the patch immediately using your distribution's package manager to prevent potential denial-of-service conditions.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your current kernel version by running `uname -r` and compare against affected versions 5.11 through 5.14.15
- Step 2: Verify if regmap is active by checking `cat /proc/kallsyms | grep regcache_rbtree` — if the function appears, the vulnerable component is loaded
- Step 3: Search kernel logs for KASAN double-free errors: `sudo dmesg | grep -i 'double-free\|regcache_rbtree'` or `sudo journalctl -k | grep -i 'kasan'`
- Step 4: Confirm the fix is applied by verifying your kernel version is 5.14.16 or later with `uname -r` and checking for the absence of KASAN warnings in recent boot logs
FAQ
What is CVE-2021-47483?
This vulnerability is a double-free memory corruption bug in the Linux kernel's regmap red-black tree cache subsystem, where a failed memory reallocation can leave a dangling pointer that gets freed twice during error cleanup.
Is CVE-2021-47483 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2021-47483 is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and no public exploits are available. However, it remains a critical kernel vulnerability that should be patched promptly.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2021-47483?
Linux kernel versions 5.11 through 5.14.15 are vulnerable. Version 5.14.16 and later contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2021-47483?
Run `uname -r` to display your kernel version and verify it is 5.14.16 or higher. If your version falls within 5.11–5.14.15, your system is vulnerable.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2021-47483?
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-2021-47483 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1cead23c1c0bc766dacb900a3b0269f651ad596f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/36e911a16b377bde0ad91a8c679069d0d310b1a6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3dae1a4eced3ee733d7222e69b8a55caf2d61091
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/50cc1462a668dc62949a1127388bc3af785ce047
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/55e6d8037805b3400096d621091dfbf713f97e83
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