CVE-2021-37159: Use After Free

Published Oct 2, 2020
·
Updated

A flaw use-after-free in the Linux kernel USB High Speed Mobile Devices functionality was found in the way user detaches USB device. A local user could use this flaw to crash the system or escalate their privileges on the system.

Other sources

hsofreenetdevice in drivers/net/usb/hso.c in the Linux kernel through 5.13.4 calls unregisternetdev without checking for the NETREGREGISTERED state, leading to a use-after-free and a double free.

Affected Software

8 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel-rt<0:4.18.0-372.9.1.rt7.166.el8
0:4.18.0-372.9.1.rt7.166.el8
redhat/kernel<0:4.18.0-372.9.1.el8
0:4.18.0-372.9.1.el8
Linux Linux kernel<=5.13.4
Debian Debian Linux=9.0
Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core Binding Support Function=22.1.3
Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core Network Exposure Function=22.1.1
Oracle Communications Cloud Native Core Policy=22.2.0
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.25-16.12.27-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel-rt to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-372.9.1.rt7.166.el8
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-372.9.1.el8
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.10.223-1Fixed in 5.10.234-1Fixed in 6.1.129-1Fixed in 6.1.135-1Fixed in 6.12.25-1Fixed in 6.12.27-1
  4. Configuration

    Blacklist the hso module to prevent it from loading automatically (per Red Hat solution 41278 referenced in the material).

    Linux kernel module hso module auto-loading = disabled
  5. Compensating control

    Prevent the module hso from being loaded (blacklist the hso kernel module so it does not load automatically).

Event History

Oct 2, 2020
CVE Published
12:00 AM
Jul 21, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:00 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·03:16 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jul 23, 2021
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·01:40 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Mar 28, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·12:31 AM
Description
Apr 28, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·04:30 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2021-37159?

CVE-2021-37159 has a medium severity rating, allowing local users to cause a crash or escalate privileges.

2

How do I fix CVE-2021-37159?

To fix CVE-2021-37159, update your Linux kernel to versions 0:4.18.0-372.9.1.rt7.166.el8 or 0:4.18.0-372.9.1.el8, or ensure your system is running a patched version of the kernel.

3

Which versions of the Linux kernel are affected by CVE-2021-37159?

CVE-2021-37159 affects Linux kernel versions prior to 5.13.4 and other specific distributions such as Debian Linux 9.0 and certain Oracle communications software versions.

4

Can CVE-2021-37159 be exploited remotely?

CVE-2021-37159 is not remotely exploitable as it requires local user access to be triggered.

5

What kind of devices are impacted by CVE-2021-37159?

CVE-2021-37159 impacts USB High Speed Mobile Devices functionality within the Linux kernel.

Company

Resources

Contact

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