Linux Kernel up to 5.13.3 Buffer Size virtio_console.c buffer overflow ⚔ [Disputed]

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
6.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.13.3 and classified as critical. Impacted is an unknown function of the file drivers/char/virtio_console.c of the component Buffer Size Handler. This manipulation causes buffer overflow. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2021-38160. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. The presence of this vulnerability remains uncertain at this time. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.13.3 (Operating System). It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown part of the file drivers/char/virtio_console.c of the component Buffer Size Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a buffer overflow vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-120. The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer, leading to a buffer overflow. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was published 08/07/2021 as d00d8da5869a2608e97cfede094dfc5e11462a46. It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2021-38160. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The real existence of this vulnerability is still doubted at the moment. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 276356 (TencentOS Server 3: kernel (TSSA-2023:0340)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.13.4 eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at cdn.kernel.org. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (276356). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.9

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Buffer overflow
CWE: CWE-120 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Nessus ID: 276356
Nessus Name: TencentOS Server 3: kernel (TSSA-2023:0340)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Kernel 5.13.4
Patch: github.com

Timelineinfo

08/07/2021 🔍
08/07/2021 +0 days 🔍
08/07/2021 +0 days 🔍
11/23/2025 +1569 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: d00d8da5869a2608e97cfede094dfc5e11462a46
Status: Confirmed
Disputed: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2021-38160 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-38160
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-180295

Entryinfo

Created: 08/07/2021 10:26
Updated: 11/23/2025 12:06
Changes: 08/07/2021 10:26 (44), 08/10/2021 16:09 (2), 08/04/2024 05:06 (35), 11/23/2025 12:06 (3)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Want to stay up to date on a daily basis?

Enable the mail alert feature now!