Memory leak in kernel
Priority LOW 21CWE-459Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · Low · None
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 4 fixed, 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-401.
Summary
A memory leak flaw in the Linux kernel's hugetlbfs memory usage was found in the way the user maps some regions of memory twice using shmget() which are aligned to PUD alignment with the fault of some of the memory pages. A local user could use this flaw to get unauthorized access to some data.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.00515 44th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Partial Red Hat: 2 advisoriesRed Hat: 4 fixed, 1 without a fix
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 | affects kernel v3.6 and later through v5.15.5. | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- kernel Vendor— Affected affects kernel v3.6 and later through v5.15.5. Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 10
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 5.16 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.16:-:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.16 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.16:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.16 rc1 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.16:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.16 rc2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| 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:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 35 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_cloud_native_core_binding_support_function:22.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 22.1.3 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_cloud_native_core_network_exposure_function:22.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 22.1.1 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_cloud_native_core_policy:22.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 22.2.0 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 5.16 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.16:-:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.16 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.16:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.16 rc1 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.16:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.16 rc2 Vulnerable ·Linux
- 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
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 35 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_cloud_native_core_binding_support_function:22.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 22.1.3 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_cloud_native_core_network_exposure_function:22.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 22.1.1 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_cloud_native_core_policy:22.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 22.2.0 Vulnerable ·Oracle
Remediation
Red Hat 2 advisories
- RHSA-2022:1988 Released 2022-05-10 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) bpftool-4.18.0-372.9.1.el8, kernel-4.18.0-372.9.1.el8, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-372.9.1.el8 +19
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CRB (v. 8) kernel-tools-libs-devel-4.18.0-372.9.1.el8
- RHSA-2022:1975 Released 2022-05-10 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-372.9.1.rt7.166.el8, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-372.9.1.rt7.166.el8, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-372.9.1.rt7.166.el8 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux RT (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-372.9.1.rt7.166.el8, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-372.9.1.rt7.166.el8, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-372.9.1.rt7.166.el8 +7
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:1988 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CRB (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:1988 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:1975 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux RT (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:1975 |
Not affected: 2 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-4002
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-7jmv-5cqq-75jg
References
Patch 3
Sources
- CVE-2021-4002 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-4002 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-7jmv-5cqq-75jg · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2021-4002 · 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