Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-47103 is a Linux kernel networking bug where a cached routing pointer could be freed before the kernel stopped using it. That creates a use-after-free condition observed by syzbot/KASAN. The source does not provide CVSS, proven impact, or active exploitation evidence.
Executive priority
Treat this as routine-to-priority kernel maintenance, not an emergency, unless affected assets are exposed and cannot be patched. There is no sourced evidence of active exploitation, but kernel memory safety issues deserve timely remediation.
Technical view
The issue is in inet early demux handling around sk->sk_rx_dst in tcp_v4_do_rcv() and tcp_v6_do_rcv(). The fix converts access to standard RCU rules so the pointer is cleared and freed safely. The reported crash involved dst_check during tcp_v4_early_demux.
Likely exposure
Systems running affected Linux kernel versions or downstream kernels lacking the referenced stable fixes may be exposed, especially where network packet processing paths are reachable. Exact exposure depends on the distribution kernel backport status.
Exploitation context
The bundle cites syzbot and KASAN detecting a use-after-free. It does not cite public exploitation, weaponized proof-of-concept details, or CISA KEV listing; KEV is marked false.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports a kernel use-after-free caused by non-standard RCU handling of sk_rx_dst. The source bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, exploit prerequisites, and full affected range semantics, so downstream package advisories are necessary for precise triage.
Mitigation direction
Check vendor or distribution kernel advisories for CVE-2021-47103 coverage.
Update to a kernel build containing the referenced stable fixes.
Prioritize internet-facing and high-traffic Linux network hosts for patch validation.
If patching is delayed, follow vendor guidance for temporary risk reduction.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, containers hosts, and cloud images.
Compare installed kernel build changelogs against the referenced stable commits.
Confirm distribution security trackers list CVE-2021-47103 as fixed.
Monitor kernel logs for networking-related crashes or KASAN reports where enabled.
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 · low confidence lookup
CVE-2021-47103 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
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.