Linux Kernel up to 5.10.37/5.11.21/5.12.4 VMX different memory corruption

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.4 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 5.10.37/5.11.21/5.12.4. Impacted is an unknown function of the component VMX. The manipulation of the argument different results in memory corruption. This vulnerability was named CVE-2021-46977. There is no available exploit. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.10.37/5.11.21/5.12.4 (Operating System). Affected is an unknown functionality of the component VMX. The manipulation of the argument different with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: VMX: Disable preemption when probing user return MSRs Disable preemption when probing a user return MSR via RDSMR/WRMSR. If the MSR holds a different value per logical CPU, the WRMSR could corrupt the host's value if KVM is preempted between the RDMSR and WRMSR, and then rescheduled on a different CPU. Opportunistically land the helper in common x86, SVM will use the helper in a future commit.
The weakness was presented 02/28/2024. The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2021-46977 since 02/27/2024. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 250164 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2021-46977), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.
Upgrading to version 5.10.38, 5.11.22, 5.12.5 or 5.13 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 31f29749ee97/5adcdeb57007/e3ea1895df71/5104d7ffcf24 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 (250164). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
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
- 5.10.35
- 5.10.36
- 5.10.37
- 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
- 5.11.19
- 5.11.20
- 5.11.21
- 5.12.0
- 5.12.1
- 5.12.2
- 5.12.3
- 5.12.4
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.4
VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍
CVSSv2
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| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Memory corruptionCWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
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Nessus ID: 250164
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2021-46977
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.38/5.11.22/5.12.5/5.13
Patch: 31f29749ee97/5adcdeb57007/e3ea1895df71/5104d7ffcf24
Timeline
02/27/2024 🔍02/28/2024 🔍
02/28/2024 🔍
08/17/2025 🔍
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2021-46977 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-46977
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-255018
Entry
Created: 02/28/2024 10:48Updated: 08/17/2025 10:13
Changes: 02/28/2024 10:48 (44), 01/08/2025 22:41 (26), 08/17/2025 10:13 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
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