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CVE Record

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.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

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.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

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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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2021-47505 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
6Source 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
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux2c14fa838cbefc23cf1c73ca167ed85b274b2913, 2c14fa838cbefc23cf1c73ca167ed85b274b2913, 2c14fa838cbefc23cf1c73ca167ed85b274b2913, 2c14fa838cbefc23cf1c73ca167ed85b274b2913, 2c14fa838cbefc23cf1c73ca167ed85b274b2913unaffected
LinuxLinux4.18, 0, 4.19.221, 5.4.165, 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.