An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel 5.9.x through 5.11.3, as used with Xen.
Priority LOW 29CWE-131Published · 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
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-131 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel 5.9.x through 5.11.3, as used with Xen. In some less-common configurations, an x86 PV guest OS user can crash a Dom0 or driver domain via a large amount of I/O activity. The issue relates to misuse of guest physical addresses when a configuration has CONFIG_XEN_UNPOPULATED_ALLOC but not CONFIG_XEN_BALLOON_MEMORY_HOTPLUG.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.00424 36th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 4
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* | 5.9.0 – 5.11.3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Xen |
| cpe:2.3:a:netapp:cloud_backup:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:o:netapp:solidfire_baseboard_management_controller_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:x86:* Versions 5.9.0 – 5.11.3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Xen
- cpe:2.3:a:netapp:cloud_backup:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:o:netapp:solidfire_baseboard_management_controller_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-28039
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-54vm-9r8q-f6f9
References
Patch 2
Sources
- CVE-2021-28039 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-28039 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-54vm-9r8q-f6f9 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2021-28039 · 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