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CVE Record

CVE-2021-47470: mm, slub: fix potential use-after-free in slab_debugfs_fops

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm, slub: fix potential use-after-free in slab_debugfs_fops When sysfs_slab_add failed, we shouldn't call debugfs_slab_add() for s because s will be freed soon. And slab_debugfs_fops will use s later leading to a use-after-free.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel memory-safety flaw in SLUB debug handling. Under a failure path, the kernel could keep a debugfs operation tied to slab state that is about to be freed, creating a possible use-after-free condition.

Executive priority

Track and remediate through normal kernel patch management unless vendor guidance raises severity. The current public evidence does not support emergency treatment, but kernel memory-safety flaws should not be left unpatched indefinitely.

Technical view

The issue is in slab_debugfs_fops. If sysfs_slab_add failed, debugfs_slab_add could still be called for a slab object that would soon be freed. Later use through slab_debugfs_fops could dereference freed memory. The record identifies Linux kernel versions around 5.14, with fixes in stable kernel commits.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions identified in the CVE record, including 5.14-era kernels before the referenced stable fixes. Distribution kernel backports may differ from upstream version numbers, so package-level advisory checks are required.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not report active exploitation, KEV listing, public exploit use, CVSS, or detailed attack prerequisites. Treat exploitability and impact as not established from the provided evidence.

Researcher notes

The record describes a failure-path use-after-free caused by continuing into debugfs setup after sysfs_slab_add failure. No CWE, CVSS, exploitability details, or runtime prerequisites are provided in the source bundle.

Mitigation direction

  • Check vendor kernel advisories for CVE-2021-47470 coverage.
  • Update affected Linux kernels to packages containing the stable fixes.
  • Prioritize internet-facing or multi-user Linux systems after vendor confirmation.
  • Avoid mapping upstream commit hashes directly to distribution package status.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across managed systems.
  • Compare installed kernel packages with vendor advisories or changelogs.
  • Confirm whether fixes matching the referenced stable commits are present.
  • Record systems still on affected 5.14-era kernels for remediation tracking.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

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

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CVE-2021-47470 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
3Source 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
LinuxLinux64dd68497be76ab4e237cca06f5324e220d0f050, 64dd68497be76ab4e237cca06f5324e220d0f050unaffected
LinuxLinux5.14, 0, 5.14.15, 5.15affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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