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CVE Record

CVE-2021-47074: nvme-loop: fix memory leak in nvme_loop_create_ctrl()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nvme-loop: fix memory leak in nvme_loop_create_ctrl() When creating loop ctrl in nvme_loop_create_ctrl(), if nvme_init_ctrl() fails, the loop ctrl should be freed before jumping to the "out" label.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-47074 is a Linux kernel memory leak in the nvme-loop driver. If controller creation fails during initialization, memory may not be freed. The provided sources do not show active exploitation, a CVSS score, or attacker prerequisites.

Executive priority

Treat this as routine kernel hygiene unless affected storage workflows are important in your environment. There is no source-backed evidence of active exploitation, but unpatched kernel memory leaks can affect reliability on exposed or heavily used systems.

Technical view

The flaw is in nvme_loop_create_ctrl(). When nvme_init_ctrl() fails, the loop controller object should be freed before the function exits through the out label. The Linux kernel references identify stable commits resolving this error-path leak. Impact details beyond memory leakage are not provided.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems with affected kernel versions and nvme-loop functionality present or used. The source bundle lists Linux kernel versions including 4.8 through 5.13-era entries as affected, but distribution-specific status requires vendor confirmation.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not indicate CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. They also do not define whether exploitation is local, remote, authenticated, or only reachable through specific storage workflows.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE description and Linux stable references. No CVSS, CWE, exploitability prerequisites, or distribution package mapping are included. Avoid assuming remote exploitability or denial-of-service impact beyond the documented memory leak.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a Linux kernel update that includes the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for the exact fixed package version.
  • Prioritize systems using NVMe loopback or NVMe over Fabrics testing paths.
  • If immediate patching is unavailable, review vendor guidance for supported mitigations.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and storage nodes.
  • Identify systems where nvme-loop is enabled, loaded, or operationally required.
  • Confirm the vendor kernel includes one of the referenced stable fixes.
  • Review reliability telemetry for repeated nvme-loop controller initialization failures.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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-2021-47074 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
4Source 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
LinuxLinux3a85a5de29ea779634ddfd768059e06196687aba, 3a85a5de29ea779634ddfd768059e06196687aba, 3a85a5de29ea779634ddfd768059e06196687abaunaffected
LinuxLinux4.8, 0, 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.