LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2021-47201: iavf: free q_vectors before queues in iavf_disable_vf

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: iavf: free q_vectors before queues in iavf_disable_vf iavf_free_queues() clears adapter->num_active_queues, which iavf_free_q_vectors() relies on, so swap the order of these two function calls in iavf_disable_vf(). This resolves a panic encountered when the interface is disabled and then later brought up again after PF communication is restored.

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

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can cause a panic when an iavf network interface is disabled and later brought back after PF communication is restored. The business impact is likely availability disruption on systems using this driver, not confirmed data theft or privilege escalation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted availability risk. Prioritize patching where iavf-backed networking supports production workloads, but there is no sourced evidence of active exploitation or broad remote compromise.

Technical view

The bug is an ordering error in iavf_disable_vf(): iavf_free_queues() clears adapter->num_active_queues before iavf_free_q_vectors() uses it. The resolved change frees q_vectors before queues, preventing a panic during the disable and later re-enable path after PF communication returns.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems using the iavf driver and affected kernel builds, especially virtualized or SR-IOV environments where VF interfaces may be disabled, reset, or recover PF communication.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Evidence points to a reliability-triggered kernel panic condition under specific network driver state transitions.

Researcher notes

The source data provides no CVSS, CWE, exploit evidence, or detailed attacker model. Analysis should stay scoped to the documented kernel panic caused by cleanup order in iavf_disable_vf().

Mitigation direction

  • Apply kernel or distribution updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Confirm whether your vendor backported the iavf ordering fix.
  • Prioritize systems using iavf virtual functions or affected kernel versions.
  • Monitor vendor advisories for exact fixed package versions.
  • Test network interface disable, reset, and recovery workflows after updating.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux hosts for affected kernel versions and iavf driver usage.
  • Review crash logs for iavf-related panics during VF disable or recovery.
  • Confirm updated source or package includes the q_vectors-before-queues fix.
  • Validate that PF communication recovery no longer triggers host panic.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

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-2021-47201 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
5Source 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
LinuxLinux65c7006f234c9ede887d468f595f259a5c5cc552, 65c7006f234c9ede887d468f595f259a5c5cc552, 65c7006f234c9ede887d468f595f259a5c5cc552, 65c7006f234c9ede887d468f595f259a5c5cc552unaffected
LinuxLinux4.13, 0, 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.