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CVE Record

CVE-2021-46963: scsi: qla2xxx: Fix crash in qla2xxx_mqueuecommand()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: scsi: qla2xxx: Fix crash in qla2xxx_mqueuecommand() RIP: 0010:kmem_cache_free+0xfa/0x1b0 Call Trace: qla2xxx_mqueuecommand+0x2b5/0x2c0 [qla2xxx] scsi_queue_rq+0x5e2/0xa40 __blk_mq_try_issue_directly+0x128/0x1d0 blk_mq_request_issue_directly+0x4e/0xb0 Fix incorrect call to free srb in qla2xxx_mqueuecommand(), as srb is now allocated by upper layers. This fixes smatch warning of srb unintended free.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel storage-driver crash bug. Systems using the qla2xxx SCSI/Fibre Channel driver could crash when handling queued commands because the driver frees memory it should not own. Business impact is mainly availability risk for affected storage-connected servers.

Executive priority

Prioritize normal patch-cycle remediation for servers dependent on qla2xxx-backed storage. Escalate if affected hosts support critical storage paths or have shown related kernel crashes.

Technical view

The kernel qla2xxx driver incorrectly frees an srb in qla2xxx_mqueuecommand(), although that object is allocated by upper layers. The recorded failure path reaches kmem_cache_free(), with call trace through qla2xxx_mqueuecommand(), scsi_queue_rq(), and blk-mq request issuance.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel builds with the qla2xxx driver in use, typically servers using compatible Fibre Channel storage adapters. Systems without this driver or hardware are unlikely to be exposed.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show KEV listing, public active exploitation, exploit code, or a CVSS score. The available evidence supports a crash/availability issue, not remote compromise. Trigger conditions are not fully described in the supplied sources.

Researcher notes

The record names several upstream stable commits and affected Linux versions, but provides no CVSS, CWE, or detailed trigger path. Analysis should stay focused on memory ownership in qla2xxx_mqueuecommand() and operational availability impact.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the qla2xxx fixes.
  • Follow Linux distribution advisories for exact fixed package versions.
  • Plan reboots for storage hosts where kernel updates are required.
  • If patching is delayed, reduce dependency on affected qla2xxx paths where feasible.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions on storage-connected servers.
  • Confirm whether the qla2xxx driver is present or loaded.
  • Identify hosts using compatible Fibre Channel storage adapters.
  • Check kernel crash logs for qla2xxx_mqueuecommand or kmem_cache_free traces.
  • Map deployed kernels against vendor fixes or listed stable commits.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
7Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux64a8c5018a4b21b04a756a56c495ef47c14e92d9, dea6ee7173039d489977c9ed92e3749154615db4, af2a0c51b1205327f55a7e82e530403ae1d42cbb, af2a0c51b1205327f55a7e82e530403ae1d42cbb, af2a0c51b1205327f55a7e82e530403ae1d42cbb, af2a0c51b1205327f55a7e82e530403ae1d42cbb, 4a1cc2f71bc57cf8dee6f58e7d2355a43aabb312unaffected
LinuxLinux5.5, 0, 4.19.191, 5.4.118, 5.10.36, 5.11.20, 5.12.3, 5.13affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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