// For flags

CVE-2021-20226

Linux Kernel io_uring Use-After-Free Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Severity Score

7.8
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

-
*SSVC
Descriptions

A use-after-free flaw was found in the io_uring in Linux kernel, where a local attacker with a user privilege could cause a denial of service problem on the system The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object by not incrementing the file reference counter while in use. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data integrity, confidentiality and system availability.

Se encontró un fallo de uso de la memoria previamente liberada en io_uring en el kernel de Linux, donde un atacante local con un privilegio de usuario podría causar un problema de denegación de servicio en el sistema. El problema resulta de una falta de comprobación de la existencia de un objeto antes de llevar a cabo operaciones en el objeto al no incrementar el contador de referencia de archivo mientras está en uso. La mayor amenaza de esta vulnerabilidad es la integridad de los datos, la confidencialidad y la disponibilidad del sistema

This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Linux Kernel. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the handling of file descriptors in io_uring. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of the kernel.

*Credits: Ryota Shiga(@Ga_ryo_) of Flatt Security
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
Partial
Integrity
Partial
Availability
Complete
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:-
Exploitation
-
Automatable
-
Tech. Impact
-
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2020-12-17 CVE Reserved
  • 2021-01-04 CVE Published
  • 2024-08-03 CVE Updated
  • 2024-12-17 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-416: Use After Free
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 5.5 < 5.8.18
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 5.5 < 5.8.18"
-
Affected
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 5.9.0 < 5.9.3
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 5.9.0 < 5.9.3"
-
Affected
Netapp
Search vendor "Netapp"
Cloud Backup
Search vendor "Netapp" for product "Cloud Backup"
--
Affected