CVE-2021-47516: linux kernel vulnerability

What is known

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfp: Fix memory leak in nfp_cpp_area_cache_add() In line 800 (#1), nfp_cpp_area_alloc() allocates and initializes a CPP area structure. But in line 807 (#2), when the cache is allocated failed, this CPP area structure is not freed, which will result in memory leak. We can fix it by freeing the CPP area when the cache is allocated failed (#2). 792 int nfp_cpp_area_cache_add(struct nfp_cpp *cpp, size_t size) 793 { 794 struct nfp_cpp_area_cache *cache; 795 struct nfp_cpp_area *area; 800 area = nfp_cpp_area_alloc(cpp, NFP_CPP_ID(7, NFP_CPP_ACTION_RW, 0), 801 0, size); // #1: allocates and initializes 802 if (!area) 803 return -ENOMEM; 805 cache = kzalloc(sizeof(*cache), GFP_KERNEL); 806 if (!cache) 807 return -ENOMEM; // #2: missing free 817 return 0; 818 }

Business impact

Successful exploitation of CVE-2021-47516, a medium vulnerability (CVSS 5.5) affecting linux kernel, may affect the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the vulnerable environment. The exact impact depends on the installed version, exposed interfaces and deployment configuration.

Recommended administrator action

Confirm whether linux kernel is present and compare installed versions with the vendor advisory and NVD record. Apply the vendor patch or documented mitigation; until remediation is complete, reduce exposure of affected interfaces, review relevant logs and monitor for indicators of exploitation. DataHouse can support version verification, managed patching, network exposure reduction, log review and backup validation for dedicated, cloud and colocated environments.

Sources

• NVD
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