CVE-2021-46999: sctp: do asoc update earlier in sctp_sf_do_dupcook_a
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
sctp: do asoc update earlier in sctp_sf_do_dupcook_a
There's a panic that occurs in a few of envs, the call trace is as below:
[] general protection fault, ... 0x29acd70f1000a: 0000 [#1] SMP PTI
[] RIP: 0010:sctp_ulpevent_notify_peer_addr_change+0x4b/0x1fa [sctp]
[] sctp_assoc_control_transport+0x1b9/0x210 [sctp]
[] sctp_do_8_2_transport_strike.isra.16+0x15c/0x220 [sctp]
[] sctp_cmd_interpreter.isra.21+0x1231/0x1a10 [sctp]
[] sctp_do_sm+0xc3/0x2a0 [sctp]
[] sctp_generate_timeout_event+0x81/0xf0 [sctp]
This is caused by a transport use-after-free issue. When processing a
duplicate COOKIE-ECHO chunk in sctp_sf_do_dupcook_a(), both COOKIE-ACK
and SHUTDOWN chunks are allocated with the transort from the new asoc.
However, later in the sideeffect machine, the old asoc is used to send
them out and old asoc's shutdown_last_sent_to is set to the transport
that SHUTDOWN chunk attached to in sctp_cmd_setup_t2(), which actually
belongs to the new asoc. After the new_asoc is freed and the old asoc
T2 timeout, the old asoc's shutdown_last_sent_to that is already freed
would be accessed in sctp_sf_t2_timer_expire().
Thanks Alexander and Jere for helping dig into this issue.
To fix it, this patch is to do the asoc update first, then allocate
the COOKIE-ACK and SHUTDOWN chunks with the 'updated' old asoc. This
would make more sense, as a chunk from an asoc shouldn't be sent out
with another asoc. We had fixed quite a few issues caused by this.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel flaw can crash affected systems that process vulnerable SCTP network traffic. SCTP is not common on every server, but it is used in some telecom, signaling, and specialized network services. The source bundle provides no CVSS score and no evidence of active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted availability risk rather than a broad emergency. Prioritize patching internet- or partner-facing systems that use SCTP, especially telecom or signaling infrastructure. For general servers without SCTP enabled, handle through normal kernel maintenance.
Technical view
The bug is a use-after-free in SCTP duplicate COOKIE-ECHO handling. COOKIE-ACK and SHUTDOWN chunks could be allocated against a new association but sent using the old association, leaving shutdown_last_sent_to pointing to freed transport memory and causing a kernel panic on T2 timeout.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected kernel versions with SCTP enabled and reachable by untrusted SCTP peers. Systems that do not load or use SCTP have lower practical exposure, but version and configuration should be verified.
Exploitation context
The source describes a crash in several environments, but not a public exploit. The KEV flag is false, and the bundle does not claim active exploitation. The trigger involves SCTP duplicate COOKIE-ECHO processing, so exposure depends on SCTP availability and network reachability.
Researcher notes
The evidence is limited to the CVE record and Linux stable commit references. No CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or distribution-specific fix matrix is provided. Validation should focus on kernel lineage, SCTP enablement, and whether the stable fix has landed in the organization’s vendor kernel.
Mitigation direction
Update affected Linux kernels to vendor-supported fixed builds.
Prioritize systems exposing SCTP to untrusted networks.
If SCTP is unused, disable or restrict it per vendor guidance.
Review distribution advisories for exact fixed package versions.
Do not deploy directly from upstream commits without vendor validation.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across exposed hosts.
Check whether SCTP modules or services are enabled.
Identify systems accepting SCTP traffic from untrusted networks.
Confirm deployed kernels include the referenced stable fixes.
Monitor kernel logs for SCTP-related panics or association errors.
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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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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cve · low confidence lookup
CVE-2021-46999 mapping review
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