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CVE Record

CVE-2021-46985: ACPI: scan: Fix a memory leak in an error handling path

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ACPI: scan: Fix a memory leak in an error handling path If 'acpi_device_set_name()' fails, we must free 'acpi_device_bus_id->bus_id' or there is a (potential) memory leak.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue is a memory leak in ACPI device scanning when a naming operation fails. The available sources do not provide CVSS, exploitability, or business-impact details. Treat it as a kernel maintenance issue unless vendor guidance says otherwise.

Executive priority

Monitor and remediate through normal kernel patch cycles. Escalate only if a vendor advisory assigns higher severity or identifies reachable exploitation in your environment.

Technical view

In the ACPI scan path, failure of acpi_device_set_name() could leave acpi_device_bus_id->bus_id allocated, creating a potential memory leak. The CVE record lists Linux kernel versions and stable commits, but does not describe a trigger, attacker control, or impact beyond the leak.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions or downstream kernels that include the vulnerable ACPI scan code. The bundle does not identify affected distributions, products, configurations, or externally reachable services.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is supported by the supplied sources, and KEV is false. The record does not provide exploit prerequisites, attack vector, or proof of concept details.

Researcher notes

The source evidence is narrow: a memory leak fix in an error-handling path. There is no CVSS vector, CWE, exploit narrative, or distro mapping in the bundle, so exposure validation should rely on kernel provenance and vendor backport status.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels using distribution or vendor-supported packages.
  • Confirm the update includes the relevant upstream stable ACPI scan fix.
  • Track vendor advisories for affected downstream kernel builds.
  • Prioritize kernels on infrastructure where reboot maintenance is already planned.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and cloud images.
  • Compare installed kernels with vendor advisories and fixed stable releases.
  • Check whether downstream kernel packages include the referenced stable commits.
  • Review vulnerability scanner results for stale kernel detections after patching.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

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

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-2021-46985 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
9Source 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

CVECVE Program Container
CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxe5cdbe419004e172f642e876a671a9ff1c52f8bb, 717d9d88fbd956ab03fad97266f6ce63a036e7f8, 7385e438e1f31af5b86f72fd19b0dcd2738502c9, bc0b1a2036dd8072106ec81a8685ecb901f72ed6, 4a5891992c680d69d7e490e4d0428d17779d8e85, 321dbe6c0b551f9f8030becc6900f77cf9bbb9ad, eb50aaf960e3bedfef79063411ffd670da94b84b, eb50aaf960e3bedfef79063411ffd670da94b84bunaffected
LinuxLinux5.12, 0, 4.9.269, 4.14.233, 4.19.191, 5.4.120, 5.10.38, 5.11.22, 5.12.5, 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.