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CVE-2021-47178: scsi: target: core: Avoid smp_processor_id() in preemptible code

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: scsi: target: core: Avoid smp_processor_id() in preemptible code The BUG message "BUG: using smp_processor_id() in preemptible [00000000] code" was observed for TCMU devices with kernel config DEBUG_PREEMPT. The message was observed when blktests block/005 was run on TCMU devices with fileio backend or user:zbc backend [1]. The commit 1130b499b4a7 ("scsi: target: tcm_loop: Use LIO wq cmd submission helper") triggered the symptom. The commit modified work queue to handle commands and changed 'current->nr_cpu_allowed' at smp_processor_id() call. The message was also observed at system shutdown when TCMU devices were not cleaned up [2]. The function smp_processor_id() was called in SCSI host work queue for abort handling, and triggered the BUG message. This symptom was observed regardless of the commit 1130b499b4a7 ("scsi: target: tcm_loop: Use LIO wq cmd submission helper"). To avoid the preemptible code check at smp_processor_id(), get CPU ID with raw_smp_processor_id() instead. The CPU ID is used for performance improvement then thread move to other CPU will not affect the code. [1] [ 56.468103] run blktests block/005 at 2021-05-12 14:16:38 [ 57.369473] check_preemption_disabled: 85 callbacks suppressed [ 57.369480] BUG: using smp_processor_id() in preemptible [00000000] code: fio/1511 [ 57.369506] BUG: using smp_processor_id() in preemptible [00000000] code: fio/1510 [ 57.369512] BUG: using smp_processor_id() in preemptible [00000000] code: fio/1506 [ 57.369552] caller is __target_init_cmd+0x157/0x170 [target_core_mod] [ 57.369606] CPU: 4 PID: 1506 Comm: fio Not tainted 5.13.0-rc1+ #34 [ 57.369613] Hardware name: System manufacturer System Product Name/PRIME Z270-A, BIOS 1302 03/15/2018 [ 57.369617] Call Trace: [ 57.369621] BUG: using smp_processor_id() in preemptible [00000000] code: fio/1507 [ 57.369628] dump_stack+0x6d/0x89 [ 57.369642] check_preemption_disabled+0xc8/0xd0 [ 57.369628] caller is __target_init_cmd+0x157/0x170 [target_core_mod] [ 57.369655] __target_init_cmd+0x157/0x170 [target_core_mod] [ 57.369695] target_init_cmd+0x76/0x90 [target_core_mod] [ 57.369732] tcm_loop_queuecommand+0x109/0x210 [tcm_loop] [ 57.369744] scsi_queue_rq+0x38e/0xc40 [ 57.369761] __blk_mq_try_issue_directly+0x109/0x1c0 [ 57.369779] blk_mq_try_issue_directly+0x43/0x90 [ 57.369790] blk_mq_submit_bio+0x4e5/0x5d0 [ 57.369812] submit_bio_noacct+0x46e/0x4e0 [ 57.369830] __blkdev_direct_IO_simple+0x1a3/0x2d0 [ 57.369859] ? set_init_blocksize.isra.0+0x60/0x60 [ 57.369880] generic_file_read_iter+0x89/0x160 [ 57.369898] blkdev_read_iter+0x44/0x60 [ 57.369906] new_sync_read+0x102/0x170 [ 57.369929] vfs_read+0xd4/0x160 [ 57.369941] __x64_sys_pread64+0x6e/0xa0 [ 57.369946] ? lockdep_hardirqs_on+0x79/0x100 [ 57.369958] do_syscall_64+0x3a/0x70 [ 57.369965] entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x44/0xae [ 57.369973] RIP: 0033:0x7f7ed4c1399f [ 57.369979] Code: 08 89 3c 24 48 89 4c 24 18 e8 7d f3 ff ff 4c 8b 54 24 18 48 8b 54 24 10 41 89 c0 48 8b 74 24 08 8b 3c 24 b8 11 00 00 00 0f 05 <48> 3d 00 f0 ff ff 77 31 44 89 c7 48 89 04 24 e8 cd f3 ff ff 48 8b [ 57.369983] RSP: 002b:00007ffd7918c580 EFLAGS: 00000293 ORIG_RAX: 0000000000000011 [ 57.369990] RAX: ffffffffffffffda RBX: 00000000015b4540 RCX: 00007f7ed4c1399f [ 57.369993] RDX: 0000000000001000 RSI: 00000000015de000 RDI: 0000000000000009 [ 57.369996] RBP: 00000000015b4540 R08: 0000000000000000 R09: 0000000000000001 [ 57.369999] R10: 0000000000e5c000 R11: 0000000000000293 R12: 00007f7eb5269a70 [ 57.370002] R13: 0000000000000000 R14: 0000000000001000 R15: 00000000015b4568 [ 57.370031] CPU: 7 PID: 1507 Comm: fio Not tainted 5.13.0-rc1+ #34 [ 57.370036] Hardware name: System manufacturer System Product Name/PRIME Z270-A, BIOS 1302 03/15/2018 [ 57.370039] Call Trace: [ 57.370045] dump_stack+0x6d/0x89 [ 57.370056] ch ---truncated---

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-47178 is a Linux kernel SCSI target issue where certain TCMU storage paths can trigger kernel BUG warnings when CPU ID is read from preemptible code. The sources describe observed failures during storage testing and shutdown, not remote compromise or data theft.

Executive priority

Track through normal kernel patch management unless the organization operates Linux SCSI target infrastructure. Escalate for storage appliances, lab systems, or services using TCMU where kernel BUG noise could affect reliability or operations.

Technical view

The Linux SCSI target core called smp_processor_id() from preemptible contexts in command initialization and abort handling. With DEBUG_PREEMPT, TCMU devices using fileio or user:zbc backends could emit BUG warnings. The resolved change uses raw_smp_processor_id() because the CPU value is only a performance hint.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with SCSI target/TCMU functionality, especially TCMU fileio or user:zbc backends. The bundle does not identify public internet exposure or a remote attack surface.

Exploitation context

The source bundle reports no CISA KEV listing and provides no evidence of active exploitation. Evidence is limited to kernel BUG messages reproduced in blktests and during shutdown when TCMU devices were not cleaned up.

Researcher notes

Impact details are incomplete: no CVSS, CWE, exploitability, or confidentiality/integrity impact is provided. The described fix addresses an unsafe preemption check pattern, and the CPU ID is stated to be performance-related rather than correctness-critical.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a Linux kernel build containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check vendor kernel advisories for backported fixes in supported distributions.
  • Prioritize systems using Linux SCSI target or TCMU devices.
  • Avoid treating this as remotely exploitable without vendor evidence.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernels against the affected versions and stable commits.
  • Identify hosts using SCSI target, tcm_loop, or TCMU backends.
  • Review kernel logs for matching DEBUG_PREEMPT BUG messages.
  • Confirm patched kernels include the referenced upstream fixes.
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

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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
LinuxLinux008b936bbde3e87a611b3828a0d5d2a4f99026a0, 1526d9f10c6184031e42afad0adbdde1213e8ad1, 1526d9f10c6184031e42afad0adbdde1213e8ad1unaffected
LinuxLinux5.11, 0, 5.12.9, 5.13affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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