CVE-2021-47438

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5e: Fix memory leak in mlx5_core_destroy_cq() error path Prior to this patch in case mlx5_core_destroy_cq() failed it returns without completing all destroy operations and that leads to memory leak. Instead, complete the destroy flow before return error. Also move mlx5_debug_cq_remove() to the beginning of mlx5_core_destroy_cq() to be symmetrical with mlx5_core_create_cq(). kmemleak complains on: unreferenced object 0xc000000038625100 (size 64): comm "ethtool", pid 28301, jiffies 4298062946 (age 785.380s) hex dump (first 32 bytes): 60 01 48 94 00 00 00 c0 b8 05 34 c3 00 00 00 c0 `.H.......4..... 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 db 7d c1 00 00 00 c0 ..........}..... backtrace: [<000000009e8643cb>] add_res_tree+0xd0/0x270 [mlx5_core] [<00000000e7cb8e6c>] mlx5_debug_cq_add+0x5c/0xc0 [mlx5_core] [<000000002a12918f>] mlx5_core_create_cq+0x1d0/0x2d0 [mlx5_core] [<00000000cef0a696>] mlx5e_create_cq+0x210/0x3f0 [mlx5_core] [<000000009c642c26>] mlx5e_open_cq+0xb4/0x130 [mlx5_core] [<0000000058dfa578>] mlx5e_ptp_open+0x7f4/0xe10 [mlx5_core] [<0000000081839561>] mlx5e_open_channels+0x9cc/0x13e0 [mlx5_core] [<0000000009cf05d4>] mlx5e_switch_priv_channels+0xa4/0x230 [mlx5_core] [<0000000042bbedd8>] mlx5e_safe_switch_params+0x14c/0x300 [mlx5_core] [<0000000004bc9db8>] set_pflag_tx_port_ts+0x9c/0x160 [mlx5_core] [<00000000a0553443>] mlx5e_set_priv_flags+0xd0/0x1b0 [mlx5_core] [<00000000a8f3d84b>] ethnl_set_privflags+0x234/0x2d0 [<00000000fd27f27c>] genl_family_rcv_msg_doit+0x108/0x1d0 [<00000000f495e2bb>] genl_family_rcv_msg+0xe4/0x1f0 [<00000000646c5c2c>] genl_rcv_msg+0x78/0x120 [<00000000d53e384e>] netlink_rcv_skb+0x74/0x1a0

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2024-05-22 07:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-08-04 10:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.1 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2024-05-22 07:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-08-04 10:17 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-401

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.10.75
• Linux Kernel < 5.14.14
• Linux Kernel 5.15

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.1

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

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-2021-47438.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2021-47438. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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