Uncontrolled resource consumption in kernel
Priority LOW 25CWE-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 flaw was found in the way memory resources were freed in the unix_stream_recvmsg function in the Linux kernel when a signal was pending. This flaw allows an unprivileged local user to crash the system by exhausting available memory. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.00339 27th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Red Hat: 3 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 | Linux kernel 4.5-rc3 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- kernel Vendor— Affected Linux kernel 4.5-rc3 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
Red Hat 3 advisories
- RHSA-2021:1288 Released 2021-04-20 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6 ELS) kernel-2.6.32-754.39.1.el6, kernel-abi-whitelists-2.6.32-754.39.1.el6, kernel-debug-2.6.32-754.39.1.el6 +7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 6 ELS) python-perf-2.6.32-754.39.1.el6
- RHSA-2021:0856 Released 2021-03-16 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) bpftool-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7, kernel-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) bpftool-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7, kernel-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) kernel-debug-devel-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7, kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) bpftool-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7, kernel-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7, kernel-abi-whitelists-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) kernel-tools-libs-devel-3.10.0-1160.21.1.el7
- RHSA-2021:0857 Released 2021-03-16 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel-rt security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time (v. 7) kernel-rt-3.10.0-1160.21.1.rt56.1158.el7, kernel-rt-debug-3.10.0-1160.21.1.rt56.1158.el7, kernel-rt-debug-devel-3.10.0-1160.21.1.rt56.1158.el7 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time for NFV (v. 7) kernel-rt-3.10.0-1160.21.1.rt56.1158.el7, kernel-rt-debug-3.10.0-1160.21.1.rt56.1158.el7, kernel-rt-debug-devel-3.10.0-1160.21.1.rt56.1158.el7 +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 Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:0856 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:0856 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:0856 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6 ELS) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:1288 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:0856 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 6 ELS) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:1288 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:0856 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:0856 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:0856 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:0857 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Real Time for NFV (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:0857 |
Not affected: 3 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-20265
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-7j7j-cjf4-3c2x
References
Sources
- CVE-2021-20265 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-20265 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-7j7j-cjf4-3c2x · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2021-20265 · 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