LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2021-47194: cfg80211: call cfg80211_stop_ap when switch from P2P_GO type

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cfg80211: call cfg80211_stop_ap when switch from P2P_GO type If the userspace tools switch from NL80211_IFTYPE_P2P_GO to NL80211_IFTYPE_ADHOC via send_msg(NL80211_CMD_SET_INTERFACE), it does not call the cleanup cfg80211_stop_ap(), this leads to the initialization of in-use data. For example, this path re-init the sdata->assigned_chanctx_list while it is still an element of assigned_vifs list, and makes that linked list corrupt.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Discuss exposureBack to CVEs
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-47194 is a Linux kernel Wi-Fi subsystem bug. A specific interface type change can skip cleanup, leaving internal wireless data structures in an inconsistent state. The public record does not provide CVSS, confirmed real-world exploitation, or a clear business impact, so urgency depends on wireless exposure and vendor kernel status.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted kernel maintenance item, not an emergency, unless wireless-enabled Linux assets are high value or exposed to untrusted local users. The lack of CVSS and exploitation evidence lowers confidence in urgency.

Technical view

The issue is in cfg80211 when userspace changes an interface from NL80211_IFTYPE_P2P_GO to NL80211_IFTYPE_ADHOC. Missing cfg80211_stop_ap cleanup can reinitialize in-use structures, corrupting a linked list involving sdata->assigned_chanctx_list and assigned_vifs. Stable kernel commits are referenced as the resolution.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using affected kernel builds with wireless cfg80211 functionality and relevant P2P/adhoc interface transitions. Servers without Wi-Fi hardware or disabled wireless paths are less likely to be reachable, but vendor kernel backports must be checked.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing, public exploitation, exploit code, or attacker prerequisites. The bug requires a userspace-triggered wireless interface type change, but the sources do not define required privileges or impact beyond linked-list corruption.

Researcher notes

The record identifies root cause and stable commit references but omits CVSS, CWE, exploitability conditions, privilege requirements, and final impact class. Validate through kernel source/backport review and distro advisories before assigning operational severity.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Linux distribution advisories for CVE-2021-47194 coverage.
  • Update affected kernels to builds containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize laptops, embedded Linux, and wireless-enabled appliances.
  • Disable unused Wi-Fi/P2P functionality where operationally feasible.
  • Track vendor backports instead of relying only on upstream version numbers.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across wireless-capable assets.
  • Confirm whether cfg80211/mac80211 wireless functionality is enabled.
  • Map vendor kernel packages to the referenced upstream stable commits.
  • Verify fixed kernel deployment through normal asset and patch records.
  • Document exceptions for systems without Wi-Fi exposure.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

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

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-47194 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
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
9Source 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
LinuxLinuxac800140c20e7ae51117e71289065bedd4930fc2, ac800140c20e7ae51117e71289065bedd4930fc2, ac800140c20e7ae51117e71289065bedd4930fc2, ac800140c20e7ae51117e71289065bedd4930fc2, ac800140c20e7ae51117e71289065bedd4930fc2, ac800140c20e7ae51117e71289065bedd4930fc2, ac800140c20e7ae51117e71289065bedd4930fc2, ac800140c20e7ae51117e71289065bedd4930fc2unaffected
LinuxLinux3.6, 0, 4.4.293, 4.9.291, 4.14.256, 4.19.218, 5.4.162, 5.10.82, 5.15.5, 5.16affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.