Uncontrolled resource consumption in kernel
Priority LOW 26CWE-400Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-400.
Summary
A lack of CPU resource in the Linux kernel tracing module functionality in versions prior to 5.14-rc3 was found in the way user uses trace ring buffer in a specific way. Only privileged local users (with CAP_SYS_ADMIN capability) could use this flaw to starve the resources causing denial of service.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.00751 55th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Red Hat: 2 advisories
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | kernel | kernel 5.14-rc3 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- kernel Vendor— Affected kernel 5.14-rc3 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 7
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 5.14 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.14:-:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.14 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.14:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.14 rc1 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.14:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.14 rc2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:-:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 9.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 5.14 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.14:-:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.14 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.14:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.14 rc1 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.14:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.14 rc2 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:-:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 9.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
Remediation
Red Hat 2 advisories
- RHSA-2021:4356 Released 2021-11-09 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 8) kernel-tools-libs-devel-4.18.0-348.el8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) bpftool-4.18.0-348.el8, kernel-4.18.0-348.el8, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-348.el8 +19
- RHSA-2021:4140 Released 2021-11-09 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel-rt security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-348.rt7.130.el8, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-348.rt7.130.el8, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-348.rt7.130.el8 +7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-348.rt7.130.el8, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-348.rt7.130.el8, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-348.rt7.130.el8 +9
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:4356 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:4356 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:4140 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:4140 |
Not affected: 3 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-3679
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-mfgx-frfq-59jc
References
Patch 2
Sources
- CVE-2021-3679 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-3679 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-mfgx-frfq-59jc · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2021-3679 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences