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CVE Record

CVE-2021-47482: net: batman-adv: fix error handling

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: batman-adv: fix error handling Syzbot reported ODEBUG warning in batadv_nc_mesh_free(). The problem was in wrong error handling in batadv_mesh_init(). Before this patch batadv_mesh_init() was calling batadv_mesh_free() in case of any batadv_*_init() calls failure. This approach may work well, when there is some kind of indicator, which can tell which parts of batadv are initialized; but there isn't any. All written above lead to cleaning up uninitialized fields. Even if we hide ODEBUG warning by initializing bat_priv->nc.work, syzbot was able to hit GPF in batadv_nc_purge_paths(), because hash pointer in still NULL. [1] To fix these bugs we can unwind batadv_*_init() calls one by one. It is good approach for 2 reasons: 1) It fixes bugs on error handling path 2) It improves the performance, since we won't call unneeded batadv_*_free() functions. So, this patch makes all batadv_*_init() clean up all allocated memory before returning with an error to no call correspoing batadv_*_free() and open-codes batadv_mesh_free() with proper order to avoid touching uninitialized fields.

MediumCVSS 5.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel flaw affects batman-adv mesh networking error handling. Under specific failure conditions, cleanup code can touch uninitialized kernel fields, causing warnings or crashes. The business impact is mainly availability, not data theft or tampering, and exposure is limited to affected kernels where this component is present or reachable.

Executive priority

Treat this as a moderate availability risk. It is not supported as actively exploited by the provided evidence, but kernel crashes can disrupt services, so patch affected Linux systems through normal vulnerability maintenance with priority for batman-adv users.

Technical view

CVE-2021-47482 fixes incorrect unwind logic in batadv_mesh_init(). Earlier error paths called batadv_mesh_free() without tracking which batman-adv subsystems were initialized, allowing cleanup of uninitialized structures and possible general protection faults. The kernel fix unwinds initialization step by step and avoids calling free routines for uninitialized state.

Likely exposure

Linux systems running affected kernel versions with batman-adv available, enabled, or otherwise reachable are the likely exposure. Generic Linux hosts that do not load or use this mesh networking component may have materially lower practical exposure.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle. The CVSS vector indicates network attack surface, high attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and high availability impact only. The provided sources do not establish active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is centered on a syzbot-reported kernel error path and stable kernel commits. The sources identify cleanup of uninitialized batman-adv fields as the bug class. They do not provide proof of exploitation in the wild or a product-specific mitigation beyond applying kernel fixes.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels to vendor-supported versions containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems where batman-adv is enabled, loaded, or used for mesh networking.
  • Track distribution security advisories for backported fixes matching this CVE.
  • Reboot systems after kernel updates where required by the vendor package process.
  • If patch timing is unclear, request vendor guidance for interim exposure reduction.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions across Linux assets.
  • Check whether batman-adv is built, loadable, loaded, or operationally required.
  • Confirm the installed kernel includes the relevant stable fix or vendor backport.
  • Review kernel logs for batman-adv ODEBUG warnings or general protection faults.
  • Document any exposed systems awaiting maintenance windows or vendor fixes.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
10

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

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-544: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-47482 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
9Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.3CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.63.6CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.3Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-47482Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

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
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxc6c8fea29769d998d94fcec9b9f14d4b52b349d3, c6c8fea29769d998d94fcec9b9f14d4b52b349d3, c6c8fea29769d998d94fcec9b9f14d4b52b349d3, c6c8fea29769d998d94fcec9b9f14d4b52b349d3, c6c8fea29769d998d94fcec9b9f14d4b52b349d3, c6c8fea29769d998d94fcec9b9f14d4b52b349d3, c6c8fea29769d998d94fcec9b9f14d4b52b349d3, c6c8fea29769d998d94fcec9b9f14d4b52b349d3unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.38, 0, 4.4.293, 4.9.289, 4.14.254, 4.19.215, 5.4.157, 5.10.77, 5.14.16, 5.15affected
Weakness

CWE details

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

CWE-544 · source CWE mapping

Missing Standardized Error Handling Mechanism

Missing Standardized Error Handling Mechanism represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.