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CVE Record

CVE-2021-47299: xdp, net: Fix use-after-free in bpf_xdp_link_release

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xdp, net: Fix use-after-free in bpf_xdp_link_release The problem occurs between dev_get_by_index() and dev_xdp_attach_link(). At this point, dev_xdp_uninstall() is called. Then xdp link will not be detached automatically when dev is released. But link->dev already points to dev, when xdp link is released, dev will still be accessed, but dev has been released. dev_get_by_index() | link->dev = dev | | rtnl_lock() | unregister_netdevice_many() | dev_xdp_uninstall() | rtnl_unlock() rtnl_lock(); | dev_xdp_attach_link() | rtnl_unlock(); | | netdev_run_todo() // dev released bpf_xdp_link_release() | /* access dev. | use-after-free */ | [ 45.966867] BUG: KASAN: use-after-free in bpf_xdp_link_release+0x3b8/0x3d0 [ 45.967619] Read of size 8 at addr ffff00000f9980c8 by task a.out/732 [ 45.968297] [ 45.968502] CPU: 1 PID: 732 Comm: a.out Not tainted 5.13.0+ #22 [ 45.969222] Hardware name: linux,dummy-virt (DT) [ 45.969795] Call trace: [ 45.970106] dump_backtrace+0x0/0x4c8 [ 45.970564] show_stack+0x30/0x40 [ 45.970981] dump_stack_lvl+0x120/0x18c [ 45.971470] print_address_description.constprop.0+0x74/0x30c [ 45.972182] kasan_report+0x1e8/0x200 [ 45.972659] __asan_report_load8_noabort+0x2c/0x50 [ 45.973273] bpf_xdp_link_release+0x3b8/0x3d0 [ 45.973834] bpf_link_free+0xd0/0x188 [ 45.974315] bpf_link_put+0x1d0/0x218 [ 45.974790] bpf_link_release+0x3c/0x58 [ 45.975291] __fput+0x20c/0x7e8 [ 45.975706] ____fput+0x24/0x30 [ 45.976117] task_work_run+0x104/0x258 [ 45.976609] do_notify_resume+0x894/0xaf8 [ 45.977121] work_pending+0xc/0x328 [ 45.977575] [ 45.977775] The buggy address belongs to the page: [ 45.978369] page:fffffc00003e6600 refcount:0 mapcount:0 mapping:0000000000000000 index:0x0 pfn:0x4f998 [ 45.979522] flags: 0x7fffe0000000000(node=0|zone=0|lastcpupid=0x3ffff) [ 45.980349] raw: 07fffe0000000000 fffffc00003e6708 ffff0000dac3c010 0000000000000000 [ 45.981309] raw: 0000000000000000 0000000000000000 00000000ffffffff 0000000000000000 [ 45.982259] page dumped because: kasan: bad access detected [ 45.982948] [ 45.983153] Memory state around the buggy address: [ 45.983753] ffff00000f997f80: fc fc fc fc fc fc fc fc fc fc fc fc fc fc fc fc [ 45.984645] ffff00000f998000: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff [ 45.985533] >ffff00000f998080: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff [ 45.986419] ^ [ 45.987112] ffff00000f998100: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff [ 45.988006] ffff00000f998180: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff [ 45.988895] ================================================================== [ 45.989773] Disabling lock debugging due to kernel taint [ 45.990552] Kernel panic - not syncing: panic_on_warn set ... [ 45.991166] CPU: 1 PID: 732 Comm: a.out Tainted: G B 5.13.0+ #22 [ 45.991929] Hardware name: linux,dummy-virt (DT) [ 45.992448] Call trace: [ 45.992753] dump_backtrace+0x0/0x4c8 [ 45.993208] show_stack+0x30/0x40 [ 45.993627] dump_stack_lvl+0x120/0x18c [ 45.994113] dump_stack+0x1c/0x34 [ 45.994530] panic+0x3a4/0x7d8 [ 45.994930] end_report+0x194/0x198 [ 45.995380] kasan_report+0x134/0x200 [ 45.995850] __asan_report_load8_noabort+0x2c/0x50 [ 45.996453] bpf_xdp_link_release+0x3b8/0x3d0 [ 45.997007] bpf_link_free+0xd0/0x188 [ 45.997474] bpf_link_put+0x1d0/0x218 [ 45.997942] bpf_link_release+0x3c/0x58 [ 45.998429] __fput+0x20c/0x7e8 [ 45.998833] ____fput+0x24/0x30 [ 45.999247] task_work_run+0x104/0x258 [ 45.999731] do_notify_resume+0x894/0xaf8 [ 46.000236] work_pending ---truncated---

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel flaw is a memory safety bug in XDP/eBPF link cleanup. A race can leave kernel code using a network device after it has been freed, causing a kernel crash in the supplied report. The source bundle does not provide CVSS, affected distributions, or evidence of active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a kernel stability and potential security risk for Linux infrastructure, especially systems using advanced packet processing. Patch through normal kernel update channels. Escalate if exposed systems run affected kernels and cannot be updated promptly.

Technical view

CVE-2021-47299 is a use-after-free in bpf_xdp_link_release involving a race between dev_get_by_index, dev_xdp_attach_link, dev_xdp_uninstall, netdevice unregister, and link release. The KASAN trace shows invalid access and panic. Stable kernel commits are referenced as fixes.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel ranges or commits with reachable XDP/eBPF link operations and network device lifecycle changes. The bundle does not state required privileges, distribution package versions, or remote reachability.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as CISA KEV in the bundle, and no cited source states active exploitation. The provided evidence is a kernel crash trace from a use-after-free condition, not public weaponization details.

Researcher notes

The strongest source evidence is the kernel commit description and KASAN trace. Impact beyond crash is not established in the bundle. Required attacker position, privileges, and exploitability are not specified, so validation should focus on version and patch provenance.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor-supported Linux kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported fixes matching CVE-2021-47299.
  • Prioritize hosts using XDP, eBPF networking, or custom kernels.
  • Confirm production kernels are not in the affected ranges listed in the CVE record.
  • Avoid direct wrangler or deployment assumptions; follow normal kernel change controls.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and container hosts.
  • Compare running kernels against the CVE record and vendor advisories.
  • Check whether kernel packages include one of the referenced stable commits.
  • Review crash logs for KASAN or panic traces mentioning bpf_xdp_link_release.
  • Document any uncertainty where vendor backport status is unclear.
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.

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CVE-2021-47299 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
LinuxLinuxaa8d3a716b59db6c1ad6c68fb8aa05e31980da60, aa8d3a716b59db6c1ad6c68fb8aa05e31980da60, aa8d3a716b59db6c1ad6c68fb8aa05e31980da60unaffected
LinuxLinux5.9, 0, 5.10.54, 5.13.6, 5.14affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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