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CVE Record

CVE-2021-47501: i40e: Fix NULL pointer dereference in i40e_dbg_dump_desc

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: i40e: Fix NULL pointer dereference in i40e_dbg_dump_desc When trying to dump VFs VSI RX/TX descriptors using debugfs there was a crash due to NULL pointer dereference in i40e_dbg_dump_desc. Added a check to i40e_dbg_dump_desc that checks if VSI type is correct for dumping RX/TX descriptors.

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 issue can crash a system when a specific Intel i40e debugfs descriptor-dump path is used incorrectly. The public record describes a NULL pointer dereference, not data theft or remote compromise. Business urgency depends on whether affected kernels and i40e debugfs workflows exist in your fleet.

Executive priority

Handle through normal kernel patch governance, with higher priority for production virtualization or network infrastructure using i40e. The current evidence supports denial-of-service concern, not confirmed active exploitation or remote compromise.

Technical view

CVE-2021-47501 is a Linux kernel i40e driver NULL pointer dereference in i40e_dbg_dump_desc while dumping VF VSI RX/TX descriptors through debugfs. The fix adds a VSI type check before descriptor dumping. The source bundle lists affected Linux kernel versions and stable kernel commits, but no CVSS or CWE.

Likely exposure

Likely exposure is limited to Linux hosts using the i40e driver where the vulnerable debugfs descriptor-dump path is reachable. The sources do not indicate remote reachability, unauthenticated access, or impact beyond a kernel crash.

Exploitation context

CISA KEV status is false, and the supplied sources do not report active exploitation. The described failure mode is a crash from a NULL pointer dereference through debugfs, so practical risk depends on local access controls and whether debugfs is enabled.

Researcher notes

The source record is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, proof of exploitation, or detailed prerequisite model. Analysis should stay anchored to the i40e debugfs VF VSI descriptor-dump path and the stable commits adding VSI type validation.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels to versions containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems using Intel i40e networking and virtualization features.
  • Restrict debugfs availability to trusted administrators where operationally possible.
  • Monitor vendor and distribution advisories for backported fixes.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux systems using the i40e kernel driver.
  • Check kernel package versions against distribution advisories and referenced stable commits.
  • Confirm whether debugfs is mounted or used on affected systems.
  • Review crash logs for i40e_dbg_dump_desc NULL pointer dereference signatures.
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

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CVE-2021-47501 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

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux02e9c290814cc143ceccecb14eac3e7a05da745e, 02e9c290814cc143ceccecb14eac3e7a05da745e, 02e9c290814cc143ceccecb14eac3e7a05da745eunaffected
LinuxLinux3.12, 0, 5.10.85, 5.15.8, 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.