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CVE Record

CVE-2021-47542: net: qlogic: qlcnic: Fix a NULL pointer dereference in qlcnic_83xx_add_rings()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: qlogic: qlcnic: Fix a NULL pointer dereference in qlcnic_83xx_add_rings() In qlcnic_83xx_add_rings(), the indirect function of ahw->hw_ops->alloc_mbx_args will be called to allocate memory for cmd.req.arg, and there is a dereference of it in qlcnic_83xx_add_rings(), which could lead to a NULL pointer dereference on failure of the indirect function like qlcnic_83xx_alloc_mbx_args(). Fix this bug by adding a check of alloc_mbx_args(), this patch imitates the logic of mbx_cmd()'s failure handling. This bug was found by a static analyzer. The analysis employs differential checking to identify inconsistent security operations (e.g., checks or kfrees) between two code paths and confirms that the inconsistent operations are not recovered in the current function or the callers, so they constitute bugs. Note that, as a bug found by static analysis, it can be a false positive or hard to trigger. Multiple researchers have cross-reviewed the bug. Builds with CONFIG_QLCNIC=m show no new warnings, and our static analyzer no longer warns about this code.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel driver bug in the QLogic qlcnic network driver. If a mailbox-argument allocation fails, later code may dereference a NULL pointer and crash kernel code. The source notes it was found by static analysis and may be hard to trigger.

Executive priority

Treat as routine kernel maintenance unless qlcnic is used on important servers. The main credible impact is kernel instability, not confirmed active compromise. Patch through normal OS update channels and escalate only where affected driver exposure is confirmed.

Technical view

qlcnic_83xx_add_rings() calls ahw->hw_ops->alloc_mbx_args and later dereferences cmd.req.arg without verifying allocation success. The stable fixes add failure checking modeled after mbx_cmd() handling. Evidence identifies affected Linux kernel ranges, but provides no CVSS, CWE, or trigger conditions.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems running affected kernel versions where the qlcnic driver is present, built, or loadable. Systems without this driver path are less likely to be exposed, but the bundle does not provide a complete product matrix.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show public exploitation, and KEV is false. The description says the bug was found by static analysis, may be false positive or hard to trigger, and was cross-reviewed by researchers.

Researcher notes

The core issue is missing allocation-failure handling in qlcnic_83xx_add_rings(). Sources do not establish attacker control, reachability, privilege requirements, or exploitability. Validation should focus on kernel version, driver presence, and whether downstream vendor patches include the stable commits.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the qlcnic stable fix.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for exact fixed package versions.
  • Prioritize hosts using or loading the qlcnic driver.
  • Track kernel fleet versions against the affected ranges in the CVE record.
  • Avoid direct wrangler or unrelated deployment actions; this is an OS patching issue.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across affected infrastructure.
  • Check whether the qlcnic driver is built, installed, or loaded.
  • Confirm the vendor kernel includes one of the referenced stable commits.
  • Review crash logs for qlcnic-related NULL pointer dereferences.
  • Document exceptions where affected kernels cannot be upgraded promptly.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
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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CVE-2021-47542 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
9Source 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
LinuxLinux7f9664525f9cb507de9198a395a111371413f230, 7f9664525f9cb507de9198a395a111371413f230, 7f9664525f9cb507de9198a395a111371413f230, 7f9664525f9cb507de9198a395a111371413f230, 7f9664525f9cb507de9198a395a111371413f230, 7f9664525f9cb507de9198a395a111371413f230, 7f9664525f9cb507de9198a395a111371413f230, 7f9664525f9cb507de9198a395a111371413f230unaffected
LinuxLinux3.9, 0, 4.4.294, 4.9.292, 4.14.257, 4.19.220, 5.4.164, 5.10.84, 5.15.7, 5.16affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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