What is CVE-2021-4037?

CVE-2021-4037 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, classified as a Improper Access Control flaw (CWE-284), affecting Linux kernel versions from * onward and patched in 5.12. CVE-2021-4037 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2021-4037?

CVE-2021-4037 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity. The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2021-4037?

Yes, CVE-2021-4037 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.12. If you are running Linux kernel * or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

Is CVE-2021-4037 actively exploited?

CVE-2021-4037 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is Improper Access Control (CWE-284)?

The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorised actor. See MITRE CWE for full details: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/284.html

CVE-2021-4037

High

A vulnerability was found in the fs/inode.c:inode_init_owner() function logic of the LInux kernel that allows local users to create files for the XFS file-system with an unintended group ownership and with group execution and SGID permission bits set, in a scenario where a directory is SGID and belongs to a certain group and is writable by a user who is not a member of this group. This can lead to excessive permissions granted in case when they should not. This vulnerability is similar to the previous CVE-2018-13405 and adds the missed fix for the XFS.

Package Linux Kernel

Published 2022-08-24

Last modified 2026-08-10

CVSS version 3.1

Patch available

Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.8

out of 10

High

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Vector string

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

Weakness type

CWE-284

CVE-2021-4037 is a Improper Access Control vulnerability

What is Improper Access Control?

The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorised actor. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions *, 5.5 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.12 and their respective stable series.

Affected from

≥ * ≥ 5.5

Fixed in

✓ 5.12 5.12.x

References

11 total

Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=01ea173e103e

Mailing List Patch Vendor Advisory
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=0fa3ecd87848

Mailing List Patch Vendor Advisory
Red Hat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2022:1975
Red Hat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2022:1988
Red Hat
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2022:4829

Showing 5 of 11 references View all on NVD

Details

CVE ID CVE-2021-4037

Severity High

CVSS score 7.8 / 10

CVSS version 3.1

Published 2022-08-24

Modified 2026-08-10

KEV No

Patch

Yes

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-4037?

CVE-2021-4037 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as an Improper Access Control flaw (CWE-284) . It affects Linux kernel versions from * onward and has been patched in 5.12. CVE-2021-4037 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2021-4037?

CVE-2021-4037 has a CVSS score of 7.8 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:H/I:H/A:H.
Is there a patch available for CVE-2021-4037?

Yes. CVE-2021-4037 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.12. If you are running Linux kernel * or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
Is CVE-2021-4037 actively exploited?

No. CVE-2021-4037 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.