CVE-2021-47505: aio: fix use-after-free due to missing POLLFREE handling
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
aio: fix use-after-free due to missing POLLFREE handling
signalfd_poll() and binder_poll() are special in that they use a
waitqueue whose lifetime is the current task, rather than the struct
file as is normally the case. This is okay for blocking polls, since a
blocking poll occurs within one task; however, non-blocking polls
require another solution. This solution is for the queue to be cleared
before it is freed, by sending a POLLFREE notification to all waiters.
Unfortunately, only eventpoll handles POLLFREE. A second type of
non-blocking poll, aio poll, was added in kernel v4.18, and it doesn't
handle POLLFREE. This allows a use-after-free to occur if a signalfd or
binder fd is polled with aio poll, and the waitqueue gets freed.
Fix this by making aio poll handle POLLFREE.
A patch by Ramji Jiyani <ramjiyani@google.com>
(https://lore.kernel.org/r/20211027011834.2497484-1-ramjiyani@google.com)
tried to do this by making aio_poll_wake() always complete the request
inline if POLLFREE is seen. However, that solution had two bugs.
First, it introduced a deadlock, as it unconditionally locked the aio
context while holding the waitqueue lock, which inverts the normal
locking order. Second, it didn't consider that POLLFREE notifications
are missed while the request has been temporarily de-queued.
The second problem was solved by my previous patch. This patch then
properly fixes the use-after-free by handling POLLFREE in a
deadlock-free way. It does this by taking advantage of the fact that
freeing of the waitqueue is RCU-delayed, similar to what eventpoll does.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-47505 is a Linux kernel memory-safety bug in asynchronous polling. Under specific polling of signalfd or binder file descriptors, the kernel can reference a wait queue after it was freed. The public record here does not provide a CVSS score, confirmed exploitation, or quantified business impact.
Executive priority
Schedule remediation through the normal kernel patch program, with higher urgency for shared or untrusted workload environments. The lack of CVSS and exploitation evidence prevents a stronger priority call from this bundle alone.
Technical view
Linux aio poll, added in kernel v4.18, did not handle POLLFREE notifications like eventpoll does. When signalfd_poll() or binder_poll() uses a waitqueue tied to a task lifetime, aio poll can miss cleanup and trigger a use-after-free. Kernel stable commits fix aio POLLFREE handling in a deadlock-free way.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Linux systems running affected kernel lines identified in the CVE record, especially kernels with aio poll support from v4.18 onward before the relevant stable fixes. Distribution backports may change practical exposure, so version strings alone are insufficient.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing, public active exploitation, exploit maturity, or a CVSS score. Treat this as a kernel use-after-free requiring patch validation, but do not claim active exploitation from the provided evidence.
Researcher notes
Key review points are aio poll cleanup, POLLFREE handling, signalfd_poll(), binder_poll(), waitqueue lifetime, and RCU-delayed freeing. The CVE text also notes an earlier attempted fix had deadlock and missed-notification issues.
Mitigation direction
Install vendor or distribution kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
Prioritize systems running affected Linux kernel branches listed in the CVE record.
Verify whether your distribution backported the aio POLLFREE handling fix.
If patching is delayed, follow vendor guidance for compensating controls.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, workstations, containers hosts, and appliances.
Map deployed kernels to distribution advisories or the referenced stable commits.
Confirm patched kernels include aio poll handling for POLLFREE notifications.
Review vulnerability scanner findings against actual running kernel versions.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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CVE-2021-47505 mapping review
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