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CVE Record

CVE-2021-47073: platform/x86: dell-smbios-wmi: Fix oops on rmmod dell_smbios

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: platform/x86: dell-smbios-wmi: Fix oops on rmmod dell_smbios init_dell_smbios_wmi() only registers the dell_smbios_wmi_driver on systems where the Dell WMI interface is supported. While exit_dell_smbios_wmi() unregisters it unconditionally, this leads to the following oops: [ 175.722921] ------------[ cut here ]------------ [ 175.722925] Unexpected driver unregister! [ 175.722939] WARNING: CPU: 1 PID: 3630 at drivers/base/driver.c:194 driver_unregister+0x38/0x40 ... [ 175.723089] Call Trace: [ 175.723094] cleanup_module+0x5/0xedd [dell_smbios] ... [ 175.723148] ---[ end trace 064c34e1ad49509d ]--- Make the unregister happen on the same condition the register happens to fix this.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can cause a kernel warning or oops when the Dell SMBIOS module is removed on systems where the Dell WMI interface was not registered. The public record describes stability impact during module unload, not remote compromise or data exposure.

Executive priority

Treat this as a low-urgency kernel stability fix unless your environment frequently unloads Dell SMBIOS modules or has strict uptime requirements. Include it in normal kernel patching rather than emergency response.

Technical view

init_dell_smbios_wmi() conditionally registers dell_smbios_wmi_driver only when Dell WMI is supported, but exit_dell_smbios_wmi() previously unregistered it unconditionally. The fix aligns unregister with the original register condition. Affected Linux kernel versions are listed by the CVE record; no CVSS or CWE is provided.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to Linux systems running affected kernel builds with the dell_smbios module path present, especially Dell-related platform/x86 environments. The record does not prove broad internet-exposed risk or application-level exposure.

Exploitation context

The source bundle reports no KEV listing and gives no evidence of active exploitation. The described trigger is module removal causing an oops. Sources do not describe remote attack, privilege escalation, or weaponized exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is narrow: a conditional registration/unregistration bug in platform/x86 Dell SMBIOS WMI handling. The public record lacks CVSS, CWE, exploitability analysis, and detailed affected distribution mapping, so exposure should be verified through kernel package provenance.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a kernel build containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for the backported fix status.
  • Avoid unnecessary dell_smbios module unload workflows until patched.
  • Prioritize production Dell Linux fleets where kernel module changes are automated.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions against the CVE affected version data.
  • Confirm vendor kernels include one of the referenced stable commits or equivalent backport.
  • Review kernel logs for dell_smbios oops or Unexpected driver unregister messages.
  • Validate remediation first on representative non-production Dell Linux systems.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

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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CVE-2021-47073 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
6Source 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
LinuxLinux1a258e670434f404a4500b65ba1afea2c2b29bba, 1a258e670434f404a4500b65ba1afea2c2b29bba, 1a258e670434f404a4500b65ba1afea2c2b29bba, 1a258e670434f404a4500b65ba1afea2c2b29bba, 1a258e670434f404a4500b65ba1afea2c2b29bbaunaffected
LinuxLinux4.15, 0, 4.19.192, 5.4.122, 5.10.40, 5.12.7, 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.