What is CVE-2021-3501?

CVE-2021-3501 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.1 out of 10, classified as a Out-of-bounds Write flaw (CWE-787), affecting Linux kernel versions from 5.9 onward and patched in 5.10.32 and 5.11.16. CVE-2021-3501 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2021-3501?

CVE-2021-3501 has a CVSS score of 7.1 out of 10, rated High severity. The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2021-3501?

Yes, CVE-2021-3501 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.32 and 5.11.16. If you are running Linux kernel 5.9 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

Is CVE-2021-3501 actively exploited?

CVE-2021-3501 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787)?

The product writes data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. See MITRE CWE for full details: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/787.html

CVE-2021-3501

High

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel in versions before 5.12. The value of internal.ndata, in the KVM API, is mapped to an array index, which can be updated by a user process at anytime which could lead to an out-of-bounds write. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data integrity and system availability.

Package Linux Kernel

Published 2021-05-06

Last modified 2026-08-05

CVSS version 3.1

Patch available

Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.1

out of 10

High

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Vector string

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-787

CVE-2021-3501 is a Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability

What is Out-of-bounds Write?

The product writes data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.9, 5.11 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.32, 5.11.16 and their respective stable series.

Affected from

≥ 5.9 ≥ 5.11

Fixed in

✓ 5.10.32 5.10.x ✓ 5.11.16 5.11.x

References

3 total

Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=04c4f2ee3f68c9a4bf1653d15f1a9a435ae33f7a

Mailing List Patch Vendor Advisory
Red Hat
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1950136

Issue Tracking Patch Third Party Advisory
Security
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210618-0008/

Third Party Advisory

Details

CVE ID CVE-2021-3501

Severity High

CVSS score 7.1 / 10

CVSS version 3.1

Published 2021-05-06

Modified 2026-08-05

KEV No

Patch

Yes

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-3501?

CVE-2021-3501 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.1 out of 10 , classified as an Out-of-bounds Write flaw (CWE-787) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.9 onward and has been patched in 5.10.32 and 5.11.16. CVE-2021-3501 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2021-3501?

CVE-2021-3501 has a CVSS score of 7.1 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H.
Is there a patch available for CVE-2021-3501?

Yes. CVE-2021-3501 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.32 and 5.11.16. If you are running Linux kernel 5.9 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
Is CVE-2021-3501 actively exploited?

No. CVE-2021-3501 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.