CVE-2021-4454

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: can: j1939: fix errant WARN_ON_ONCE in j1939_session_deactivate The conclusion "j1939_session_deactivate() should be called with a session ref-count of at least 2" is incorrect. In some concurrent scenarios, j1939_session_deactivate can be called with the session ref-count less than 2. But there is not any problem because it will check the session active state before session putting in j1939_session_deactivate_locked(). Here is the concurrent scenario of the problem reported by syzbot and my reproduction log. cpu0 cpu1 j1939_xtp_rx_eoma j1939_xtp_rx_abort_one j1939_session_get_by_addr [kref == 2] j1939_session_get_by_addr [kref == 3] j1939_session_deactivate [kref == 2] j1939_session_put [kref == 1] j1939_session_completed j1939_session_deactivate WARN_ON_ONCE(kref < 2) ===================================================== WARNING: CPU: 1 PID: 21 at net/can/j1939/transport.c:1088 j1939_session_deactivate+0x5f/0x70 CPU: 1 PID: 21 Comm: ksoftirqd/1 Not tainted 5.14.0-rc7+ #32 Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996), BIOS 1.13.0-1ubuntu1 04/01/2014 RIP: 0010:j1939_session_deactivate+0x5f/0x70 Call Trace: j1939_session_deactivate_activate_next+0x11/0x28 j1939_xtp_rx_eoma+0x12a/0x180 j1939_tp_recv+0x4a2/0x510 j1939_can_recv+0x226/0x380 can_rcv_filter+0xf8/0x220 can_receive+0x102/0x220 ? process_backlog+0xf0/0x2c0 can_rcv+0x53/0xf0 __netif_receive_skb_one_core+0x67/0x90 ? process_backlog+0x97/0x2c0 __netif_receive_skb+0x22/0x80

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2025-03-27 17:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-15 22:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.5 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2025-03-27 17:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-15 22:17 UTC

Exploit probability

0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.4.232
• Linux Kernel < 5.10.168
• Linux Kernel < 5.14
• Linux Kernel < 5.15.93
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.11
• Linux Kernel 5.14
• Linux Kernel 6.2

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

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-2021-4454.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2021-4454. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

Copy as ticket · More options · Status badge