In the Linux kernel, a vulnerability has been identified and resolved. This vulnerability allows a kernel crash to occur when the firmware fails to download or is missing. The specific kernel panic is triggered by an error at drivers/pci/msi.c:375, leading to a fatal exception. The severity of this vulnerability is rated as medium with a CVSS score of 5.5, which indicates a real-world risk that could impact system availability.
Risk to organizations includes potential downtime or instability in affected systems, particularly for those utilizing the affected versions of the Linux kernel. Given this vulnerability's nature, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The vulnerability was published on February 28, 2024, and has been assigned CVE ID CVE-2021-47027. This indicates it is a recognized issue that should be addressed promptly to ensure the security and reliability of systems running the Linux kernel.
Currently, there are no known public exploits or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability. However, organizations should remain vigilant and ensure that their systems are updated to the latest versions that include the necessary fixes.
In summary, organizations using the affected Linux kernel versions must act quickly to apply the patches that resolve this vulnerability to mitigate any associated risks.
Vulnerability Details
The Linux kernel vulnerability (CVE-2021-47027) allows a kernel crash when the firmware fails to download. Specifically, the issue occurs in the mt76 driver, resulting in a panic due to a bug in the code responsible for managing hardware interrupts. The vulnerability affects versions of the Linux kernel starting from 5.12 up to, but not including, 5.12.4.
The CVSS v3.1 vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating that it requires low privileges and has local attack vectors. The availability impact is rated as high, which contributes to the medium severity classification.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the handling of firmware download failures in the mt76 driver. When the firmware is absent or fails to download, the kernel experiences a panic, leading to system instability. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have local access to the system to exploit this vulnerability. The complexity of the attack is low, as it does not require specific user interaction or high privileges.
The kernel's availability is impacted significantly, as the crash can lead to system downtime. There are no confidentiality or integrity impacts associated with this vulnerability, as it primarily affects the system's operational state.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing the affected versions of the Linux kernel face a substantial risk of system crashes, which can lead to operational disruptions. The potential blast radius includes any systems that depend on the Linux kernel for functionality, making it critical for organizations to assess their environments and prioritize patching.
Given the CVSS score of 5.5, this vulnerability should be addressed in the priority patch cycle. Organizations should also consider the EPSS score of 0.001070000, indicating a low likelihood of exploitation, but the potential impact of a successful exploitation remains high.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of the Linux kernel starting from 5.12 up to 5.12.4. Organizations should ensure that they are running versions that have received the appropriate patches.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the impact of this vulnerability, organizations should promptly apply the patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers. It is essential to upgrade to a version of the kernel that is not affected by this issue. Regular updates and monitoring for vulnerabilities are crucial for maintaining security.
For more detailed guidance on vulnerability management, organizations can consult the vulnerability management program design to ensure they have comprehensive strategies in place.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for kernel panic messages and abnormal behavior that may indicate an exploit attempt. Behavioral anomalies and unusual system crashes should be flagged for investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-47027 highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining kernel stability, particularly in scenarios where firmware management is critical. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of robust error handling in system-level software.
Security teams should take this incident as a reminder to conduct thorough reviews of their systems for similar vulnerabilities, particularly in the context of firmware interactions.
For further insights on penetration testing and security assessments, organizations can refer to the following resources: penetration testing services, application security assessments, and continuous penetration testing to enhance their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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