CVE-2021-47542
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: qlogic: qlcnic: Fix a NULL pointer dereference in qlcnic_83xx_add_rings() In qlcnic_83xx_add_rings(), the indirect function of ahw->hw_ops->alloc_mbx_args will be called to allocate memory for cmd.req.arg, and there is a dereference of it in qlcnic_83xx_add_rings(), which could lead to a NULL pointer dereference on failure of the indirect function like qlcnic_83xx_alloc_mbx_args(). Fix this bug by adding a check of alloc_mbx_args(), this patch imitates the logic of mbx_cmd()'s failure handling. This bug was found by a static analyzer. The analysis employs differential checking to identify inconsistent security operations (e.g., checks or kfrees) between two code paths and confirms that the inconsistent operations are not recovered in the current function or the callers, so they constitute bugs. Note that, as a bug found by static analysis, it can be a false positive or hard to trigger. Multiple researchers have cross-reviewed the bug. Builds with CONFIG_QLCNIC=m show no new warnings, and our static analyzer no longer warns about this code.
CVSS 3.1 score
5.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness type
CWE-476CVE-2021-47542 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability
What is NULL Pointer Dereference?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2021-47542 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/15fa12c119f869173f9b710cbe6a4a14071d2105
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a061d54e260b701b538873b43e399d9b8b83e03
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/550658a2d61e4eaf522c8ebc7fad76dc376bfb45
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2021-47542?
CVE-2021-47542 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . CVE-2021-47542 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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What is the CVSS score for CVE-2021-47542?
CVE-2021-47542 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. -
Is there a patch available for CVE-2021-47542?
No patch is currently available for CVE-2021-47542. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.
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Is CVE-2021-47542 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2021-47542 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
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What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →