CVE-2021-37576: Input Validation

Published Jul 23, 2021
·
Updated

A flaw was found on the Linux kernel. On the PowerPC platform, the KVM guest allows the OS users to cause host OS memory corruption via rtasargs.nargs. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.

Other sources

arch/powerpc/kvm/book3srtas.c in the Linux kernel on the powerpc platform allows KVM guest OS users to cause host OS memory corruption via syscalls from the guest.

Reference: https://lore.kernel.org/linuxppc-dev/87im0x1lqi.fsf@mpe.ellerman.id.au/T/#u

Upstream patch: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=f62f3c20647ebd5fb6ecb8f0b477b9281c44c10a

— Red Hat

arch/powerpc/kvm/book3srtas.c in the Linux kernel through 5.13.5 on the powerpc platform allows KVM guest OS users to cause host OS memory corruption via rtasargs.nargs, aka CID-f62f3c20647e.

Affected Software

19 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-1160.45.1.el7
0:3.10.0-1160.45.1.el7
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-514.93.1.el7
0:3.10.0-514.93.1.el7
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-693.94.1.el7
0:3.10.0-693.94.1.el7
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-957.84.1.el7
0:3.10.0-957.84.1.el7
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-1062.59.1.el7
0:3.10.0-1062.59.1.el7
redhat/kernel<0:4.18.0-305.17.1.el8_4
0:4.18.0-305.17.1.el8_4
redhat/kernel<0:4.18.0-147.54.2.el8_1
0:4.18.0-147.54.2.el8_1
redhat/kernel<0:4.18.0-193.65.2.el8_2
0:4.18.0-193.65.2.el8_2
redhat/kernel 5.14<4
4
Linux Linux kernel>=3.10<4.4.277
Linux Linux kernel>=4.5<4.9.277
Linux Linux kernel>=4.10<4.14.241
Linux Linux kernel>=4.15<4.19.199
Linux Linux kernel>=4.20<5.4.136
Linux Linux kernel>=5.5<5.10.54
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<5.13.6
Fedoraproject Fedora=33
Fedoraproject Fedora=34
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 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-1160.45.1.el7
  2. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-514.93.1.el7
  3. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-693.94.1.el7
  4. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-957.84.1.el7
  5. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-1062.59.1.el7
  6. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-305.17.1.el8_4
  7. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-147.54.2.el8_1
  8. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-193.65.2.el8_2
  9. 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
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel 5.14 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade Linux kernel (powerpc KVM book3s RTAS) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch CID-f62f3c20647e

Event History

Jul 23, 2021
CVE Published
12:00 AM
Jul 26, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·09:35 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·09:35 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·10:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jul 27, 2021
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·05:38 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·11:58 PM
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-2021-37576?

CVE-2021-37576 has a high severity due to its potential impact on data confidentiality, integrity, and system availability.

2

How do I fix CVE-2021-37576?

To fix CVE-2021-37576, update your kernel to the recommended versions specified by your distribution.

3

Which systems are affected by CVE-2021-37576?

CVE-2021-37576 affects systems running specific versions of the Linux kernel, particularly on the PowerPC platform.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2021-37576?

CVE-2021-37576 is a memory corruption vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM implementation.

5

Is there a workaround for CVE-2021-37576?

Currently, there are no documented workarounds for CVE-2021-37576; the best mitigation is to apply the necessary updates.

Company

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