Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-34381 affects NVIDIA Jetson TX1 systems running Jetson Linux before r32.5.1. A flaw in NVIDIA’s Trusted Little Kernel handling of shared memory size values may allow denial of service, information disclosure, or data tampering. The issue is local and high-complexity, but impact could be serious on exposed edge or embedded devices.
Executive priority
Handle as a targeted embedded-device risk, not a broad internet emergency. Prioritize environments where Jetson TX1 devices process sensitive data, control physical systems, or cannot be easily rebuilt. Ensure ownership, firmware status, and upgrade feasibility are known.
Technical view
The vulnerability is an integer overflow in the NVIDIA TLK kernel function tz_map_shared_mem. Missing checks on the size parameter may allow memory handling errors. The CVSS 3.1 vector is AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, scored 6.7. Sources name NVIDIA Jetson TX1 on Jetson Linux versions before r32.5.1 as affected.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to organizations operating NVIDIA Jetson TX1 devices with Jetson Linux earlier than r32.5.1. This is most relevant for embedded, robotics, IoT, edge AI, lab, and operational technology deployments where older images persist.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not identify public exploitation or CISA KEV listing. Exploitation requires local access, low privileges, high attack complexity, and user interaction per CVSS. Treat exploitation status as unconfirmed, not active.
Researcher notes
Evidence is concise: the CVE record and NVIDIA reference identify product, version boundary, impact class, and CVSS vector. No CWE, proof-of-concept, exploit telemetry, or detailed remediation notes are included in the provided bundle, so avoid assumptions beyond upgrading from pre-r32.5.1 releases.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory Jetson TX1 devices and record Jetson Linux or L4T release.
- Upgrade affected Jetson TX1 systems to Jetson Linux r32.5.1 or later when supported.
- Check NVIDIA advisory 5205 for product-specific guidance and supported update paths.
- Restrict local access to Jetson TX1 systems until affected software is updated.
- Prioritize replacement or isolation where legacy Jetson Linux cannot be upgraded.
Validation and detection
- Confirm each Jetson TX1 runs Jetson Linux r32.5.1 or later.
- Map embedded images and golden builds for pre-r32.5.1 Jetson Linux.
- Review asset inventories for unmanaged Jetson TX1 deployments.
- Check change records for NVIDIA advisory 5205 remediation completion.
- Validate compensating controls limiting local user access on unpatched devices.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2021-34381 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.7 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H0.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.7MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5205CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.