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CVE Record

CVE-2021-46974: bpf: Fix masking negation logic upon negative dst register

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix masking negation logic upon negative dst register The negation logic for the case where the off_reg is sitting in the dst register is not correct given then we cannot just invert the add to a sub or vice versa. As a fix, perform the final bitwise and-op unconditionally into AX from the off_reg, then move the pointer from the src to dst and finally use AX as the source for the original pointer arithmetic operation such that the inversion yields a correct result. The single non-AX mov in between is possible given constant blinding is retaining it as it's not an immediate based operation.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel BPF correctness flaw that has been fixed in stable kernel commits. The public record does not provide CVSS, CWE, impact details, or evidence of exploitation. Treat exposure as kernel-patch management risk until the relevant Linux or distribution vendor confirms affected builds and fixed package versions.

Executive priority

Track this as a patch-governance item, not a confirmed emergency. Prioritize confirmation on internet-facing infrastructure, shared compute, and systems with strict tenant isolation requirements, while noting that public severity and exploitation evidence are incomplete.

Technical view

CVE-2021-46974 concerns incorrect BPF masking negation logic when the offset register is in the destination register. The upstream fix changes the operation sequence so the final bitwise AND uses AX before pointer arithmetic. Sources identify affected Linux kernel versions and stable commits, but do not describe exploitability or practical impact.

Likely exposure

Potentially exposed assets are Linux systems, appliances, containers hosts, and cloud images running kernel builds listed as affected or downstream backports lacking the referenced stable fixes. The provided sources do not identify affected distributions, configurations, or whether BPF access conditions limit exposure.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is supported by the supplied sources, and KEV is false. The CVE record describes a resolved Linux kernel BPF bug but does not provide exploit status, attack prerequisites, or a demonstrated impact path.

Researcher notes

The strongest evidence is the upstream kernel fix description and stable commit references. Missing data includes CVSS, CWE, affected distribution packages, exploitability, and prerequisites. Avoid assuming privilege escalation or remote reachability without additional vendor or kernel maintainer evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux kernel updates that include the referenced stable BPF fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for fixed package versions and backport status.
  • Prioritize shared hosts and systems running untrusted workloads for vendor review.
  • Avoid ad hoc mitigations unless recommended by the kernel or distribution vendor.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and base images.
  • Compare installed kernel packages with vendor advisories for CVE-2021-46974.
  • Review package changelogs for the referenced upstream stable commits.
  • Confirm patched systems have rebooted into the fixed kernel.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
9

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

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

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CVE-2021-46974 mapping review

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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
8Source 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
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxae03b6b1c880a03d4771257336dc3bca156dd51b, f92a819b4cbef8c9527d9797110544b2055a4b96, 979d63d50c0c0f7bc537bf821e056cc9fe5abd38, 979d63d50c0c0f7bc537bf821e056cc9fe5abd38, 979d63d50c0c0f7bc537bf821e056cc9fe5abd38, 979d63d50c0c0f7bc537bf821e056cc9fe5abd38, 979d63d50c0c0f7bc537bf821e056cc9fe5abd38, 078da99d449f64ca04d459cdbdcce513b64173cdunaffected
LinuxLinux5.0, 0, 4.14.233, 4.19.190, 5.4.117, 5.10.35, 5.11.19, 5.12.2, 5.13affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.