CVE-2021-46979
5.5 · MEDIUMOverview
CVE-2021-46979 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting linux linux_kernel. It was published on February 28, 2024 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.
Technical Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
iio: core: fix ioctl handlers removal
Currently ioctl handlers are removed twice. For the first time during
iio_device_unregister() then later on inside
iio_device_unregister_eventset() and iio_buffers_free_sysfs_and_mask().
Double free leads to kernel panic.
Fix this by not touching ioctl handlers list directly but rather
letting code responsible for registration call the matching cleanup
routine itself.
Remediation
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from linux. Update linux_kernel to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| linux | linux_kernel | >= 5.11, < 5.11.22 | Affected |
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2021-46979?
CVE-2021-46979 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting linux linux_kernel. It was published on February 28, 2024 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).
How severe is CVE-2021-46979?
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.
How do I fix or remediate CVE-2021-46979?
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from linux. Update linux_kernel to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2021-46979?
CyberStrike's AI-powered security agents can automatically detect CVE-2021-46979 across your infrastructure using autonomous pentesting, DAST scanning, and HackBrowser. The platform continuously monitors for known vulnerabilities and provides actionable remediation guidance prioritized by real-world exploitability.
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