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CVE Record

CVE-2021-47514: devlink: fix netns refcount leak in devlink_nl_cmd_reload()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: devlink: fix netns refcount leak in devlink_nl_cmd_reload() While preparing my patch series adding netns refcount tracking, I spotted bugs in devlink_nl_cmd_reload() Some error paths forgot to release a refcount on a netns. To fix this, we can reduce the scope of get_net()/put_net() section around the call to devlink_reload().

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 resource-management bug. Failed devlink reload handling could leave network namespace references unreleased, potentially causing resource retention or stability issues. The source bundle provides no CVSS score, exploitation evidence, or business-impact detail.

Executive priority

Treat as a kernel maintenance item unless local exposure analysis shows critical systems remain on affected builds. There is no sourced evidence of active exploitation, but kernel resource leaks can affect reliability.

Technical view

devlink_nl_cmd_reload() acquired a network namespace reference with get_net(), but some error paths failed to release it with put_net(). The referenced stable fixes reduce the get_net()/put_net() scope around devlink_reload() to prevent the refcount leak.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel builds listed in the source bundle, including 5.10, 5.10.85, 5.15.8, and 5.16. Distribution backports may change practical exposure.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is supported by the bundle. KEV is false, and the provided sources do not include exploit reports, prerequisites, proof-of-concept details, or attack-path information.

Researcher notes

The available record is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, privilege model, or trigger conditions are provided. Analysis should focus on kernel provenance, stable-branch patch inclusion, and whether local builds contain the vulnerable devlink code path.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels to vendor builds containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for backported fixes covering CVE-2021-47514.
  • Prioritize systems running affected kernel versions until package status is confirmed.
  • If patching is delayed, follow vendor guidance; no specific workaround is provided.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and container hosts.
  • Confirm whether installed kernels include the referenced devlink refcount fix commits.
  • Review distribution changelogs for CVE-2021-47514 or equivalent stable backports.
  • Track unresolved systems until they are patched or proven unaffected.
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

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-2021-47514 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
LinuxLinuxccdf07219da6bd1f43c6ddcde4c0e36993c7365a, ccdf07219da6bd1f43c6ddcde4c0e36993c7365a, ccdf07219da6bd1f43c6ddcde4c0e36993c7365aunaffected
LinuxLinux5.10, 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.