Linux Kernel up to 5.10.34/5.11.18/5.12.1 ovl /file0 ovl_lookup state issue

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 4.9 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.10.34/5.11.18/5.12.1 and classified as problematic. This affects the function ovl_lookup of the file /file0 of the component ovl. Executing a manipulation can lead to state issue.
The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2021-46972. There is no exploit available.
It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.10.34/5.11.18/5.12.1 (Operating System). This vulnerability affects the function ovl_lookup of the file /file0 of the component ovl. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a state issue vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-371. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ovl: fix leaked dentry Since commit 6815f479ca90 ("ovl: use only uppermetacopy state in ovl_lookup()"), overlayfs doesn't put temporary dentry when there is a metacopy error, which leads to dentry leaks when shutting down the related superblock: overlayfs: refusing to follow metacopy origin for (/file0) ... BUG: Dentry (____ptrval____){i=3f33,n=file3} still in use (1) [unmount of overlay overlay] ... WARNING: CPU: 1 PID: 432 at umount_check.cold+0x107/0x14d CPU: 1 PID: 432 Comm: unmount-overlay Not tainted 5.12.0-rc5 #1 ... RIP: 0010:umount_check.cold+0x107/0x14d ... Call Trace: d_walk+0x28c/0x950 ? dentry_lru_isolate+0x2b0/0x2b0 ? __kasan_slab_free+0x12/0x20 do_one_tree+0x33/0x60 shrink_dcache_for_umount+0x78/0x1d0 generic_shutdown_super+0x70/0x440 kill_anon_super+0x3e/0x70 deactivate_locked_super+0xc4/0x160 deactivate_super+0xfa/0x140 cleanup_mnt+0x22e/0x370 __cleanup_mnt+0x1a/0x30 task_work_run+0x139/0x210 do_exit+0xb0c/0x2820 ? __kasan_check_read+0x1d/0x30 ? find_held_lock+0x35/0x160 ? lock_release+0x1b6/0x660 ? mm_update_next_owner+0xa20/0xa20 ? reacquire_held_locks+0x3f0/0x3f0 ? __sanitizer_cov_trace_const_cmp4+0x22/0x30 do_group_exit+0x135/0x380 __do_sys_exit_group.isra.0+0x20/0x20 __x64_sys_exit_group+0x3c/0x50 do_syscall_64+0x45/0x70 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x44/0xae ... VFS: Busy inodes after unmount of overlay. Self-destruct in 5 seconds. Have a nice day... This fix has been tested with a syzkaller reproducer.
The weakness was shared 02/27/2024. The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2021-46972. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 240010 (TencentOS Server 2: kernel (TSSA-2024:1031)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.
Upgrading to version 5.10.35, 5.11.19, 5.12.2 or 5.13 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 71d58457a8af/cf3e3330bc57/d587cfaef72b/eaab1d45cdb4 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.
The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (240010). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 5.10.0
- 5.10.1
- 5.10.2
- 5.10.3
- 5.10.4
- 5.10.5
- 5.10.6
- 5.10.7
- 5.10.8
- 5.10.9
- 5.10.10
- 5.10.11
- 5.10.12
- 5.10.13
- 5.10.14
- 5.10.15
- 5.10.16
- 5.10.17
- 5.10.18
- 5.10.19
- 5.10.20
- 5.10.21
- 5.10.22
- 5.10.23
- 5.10.24
- 5.10.25
- 5.10.26
- 5.10.27
- 5.10.28
- 5.10.29
- 5.10.30
- 5.10.31
- 5.10.32
- 5.10.33
- 5.10.34
- 5.11.0
- 5.11.1
- 5.11.2
- 5.11.3
- 5.11.4
- 5.11.5
- 5.11.6
- 5.11.7
- 5.11.8
- 5.11.9
- 5.11.10
- 5.11.11
- 5.11.12
- 5.11.13
- 5.11.14
- 5.11.15
- 5.11.16
- 5.11.17
- 5.11.18
- 5.12.0
- 5.12.1
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.0VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.9
VulDB Base Score: 4.6
VulDB Temp Score: 4.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: State issueCWE: CWE-371
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Nessus ID: 240010
Nessus Name: TencentOS Server 2: kernel (TSSA-2024:1031)
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.35/5.11.19/5.12.2/5.13
Patch: 71d58457a8af/cf3e3330bc57/d587cfaef72b/eaab1d45cdb4
Timeline
02/27/2024 🔍02/27/2024 🔍
02/27/2024 🔍
06/17/2025 🔍
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2021-46972 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-46972
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-254944
Entry
Created: 02/27/2024 20:07Updated: 06/17/2025 16:23
Changes: 02/27/2024 20:07 (43), 03/14/2024 16:50 (1), 01/08/2025 22:41 (27), 06/17/2025 16:23 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
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