CVE-2021-22555
What it is
A heap out-of-bounds write affecting Linux since v2.6.19-rc1 was discovered in net/netfilter/x_tables.c. This allows an attacker to gain privileges or cause a DoS (via heap memory corruption) through user name space
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited from the same network segment without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- In the wild
- CISA lists this as exploited in real attacks. Treat as urgent.
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Fix referencedNVD first recorded a patch, advisory or mitigation link
- 2025-10-06 Exploited in the wildAdded to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- 2025-10-27 Remediation deadlineCISA's due date for federal agencies to fix it
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: yes, CISA lists it. This puts it above everything that is not.
- Exploit odds: 78.7% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 8.3 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Added to CISA KEV
- 2025-10-06
- Exploit probability
- 78.7% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-787 · Out-of-bounds write
- Record status
- Analyzed
Affected
- Netapp c400 Firmware
- Netapp c250 Firmware
- Netapp h410c Firmware
- Netapp h300s Firmware
- Netapp h500s Firmware
- Netapp h700s Firmware
- Netapp h410s Firmware
- Linux Kernel < 4.4.267
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 8.3
- Attack vector
- Adjacent network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Changed
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2021-22555.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2021-22555. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/net/netfilter/x_tables.c?id=9fa492cdc160cd27ce1046cb36f47d3b2b1efa21
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/net/netfilter/x_tables.c?id=b29c457a6511435960115c0f548c4360d5f4801d
- https://github.com/google/security-research/security/advisories/GHSA-xxx5-8mvq-3528
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/net/netfilter/x_tables.c?id=9fa492cdc160cd27ce1046cb36f47d3b2b1efa21
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/net/netfilter/x_tables.c?id=b29c457a6511435960115c0f548c4360d5f4801d
- https://github.com/google/security-research/security/advisories/GHSA-xxx5-8mvq-3528
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163528/Linux-Kernel-Netfilter-Heap-Out-Of-Bounds-Write.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163878/Kernel-Live-Patch-Security-Notice-LSN-0080-1.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164155/Kernel-Live-Patch-Security-Notice-LSN-0081-1.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164437/Netfilter-x_tables-Heap-Out-Of-Bounds-Write-Privilege-Escalation.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165477/Kernel-Live-Patch-Security-Notice-LSN-0083-1.html
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/net/netfilter/x_tables.c?id=9fa492cdc160cd27ce1046cb36f47d3b2b1efa21
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/net/netfilter/x_tables.c?id=b29c457a6511435960115c0f548c4360d5f4801d
- https://github.com/google/security-research/security/advisories/GHSA-xxx5-8mvq-3528
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210805-0010/
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163528/Linux-Kernel-Netfilter-Heap-Out-Of-Bounds-Write.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163878/Kernel-Live-Patch-Security-Notice-LSN-0080-1.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164155/Kernel-Live-Patch-Security-Notice-LSN-0081-1.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164437/Netfilter-x_tables-Heap-Out-Of-Bounds-Write-Privilege-Escalation.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165477/Kernel-Live-Patch-Security-Notice-LSN-0083-1.html
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/net/netfilter/x_tables.c?id=9fa492cdc160cd27ce1046cb36f47d3b2b1efa21
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/net/netfilter/x_tables.c?id=b29c457a6511435960115c0f548c4360d5f4801d
- https://github.com/google/security-research/security/advisories/GHSA-xxx5-8mvq-3528
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210805-0010/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22555