CVE-2021-20239: Buffer Overflow

Published Feb 1, 2021
·
Updated

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel in versions before 5.4.92 in the BPF protocol. This flaw allows an attacker with a local account to leak information about kernel internal addresses. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to confidentiality.

Other sources

A flaw was found in the Linux kernels implementation of BPF. A local user with CAPNETADMIN can attach an ebpf filter to setsockopt() syscall. This filter can be triggered under the right conditions to leak kernel internal information. This could allow an attacker to determine the layout of information in kernel memory to be used in future attacks.

This flaw is also known as ZDI-21-100.

References:

https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-100/ https://gist.github.com/Ga-ryo/2ec958e78f55c5d18558960f3fe1c6ec

Red Hat

Affected Software

7 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel<5.4.92
5.4.92
Linux Linux kernel<5.4.92
redhat Enterprise Linux=5.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=6.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=8.0
Fedoraproject Fedora=33
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.25-16.12.27-1

Event History

Feb 1, 2021
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·05:21 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
May 28, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·10:42 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·10:42 AM
DescriptionWeakness
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·11:54 PM
Description
Apr 28, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·04:25 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2021-20239?

The severity of CVE-2021-20239 is high due to its potential impact on confidentiality.

2

How do I fix CVE-2021-20239?

To fix CVE-2021-20239, you need to upgrade to Linux kernel version 5.4.92 or later.

3

Who is affected by CVE-2021-20239?

CVE-2021-20239 affects Linux kernel versions prior to 5.4.92, impacting systems using Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora.

4

What type of attack can exploit CVE-2021-20239?

CVE-2021-20239 can be exploited by an attacker with local access, allowing them to leak internal kernel addresses.

5

Is CVE-2021-20239 patched in all distributions?

CVE-2021-20239 has been patched in several distributions, but users should verify their specific distribution for an available update.

Contact

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