Linux Kernel up to 5.4.124/5.10.42/5.12.9 kvm machine_shutdown memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 5.4.124/5.10.42/5.12.9. The affected element is the function machine_shutdown of the component kvm. The manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2021-47110. No exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.4.124/5.10.42/5.12.9. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function machine_shutdown of the component kvm. The manipulation 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: x86/kvm: Disable kvmclock on all CPUs on shutdown Currenly, we disable kvmclock from machine_shutdown() hook and this only happens for boot CPU. We need to disable it for all CPUs to guard against memory corruption e.g. on restore from hibernate. Note, writing '0' to kvmclock MSR doesn't clear memory location, it just prevents hypervisor from updating the location so for the short while after write and while CPU is still alive, the clock remains usable and correct so we don't need to switch to some other clocksource.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2021-47110 since 03/04/2024. The exploitability is told to be easy. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 246670 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2021-47110), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.125, 5.10.43, 5.12.10 or 5.13 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 9084fe1b3572/3b0becf8b1ec/1df2dc09926f/c02027b5742b 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 (246670). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.2

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.1
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: 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: 246670
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2021-47110

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.125/5.10.43/5.12.10/5.13
Patch: 9084fe1b3572/3b0becf8b1ec/1df2dc09926f/c02027b5742b

Timelineinfo

03/04/2024 🔍
03/15/2024 +11 days 🔍
03/15/2024 +0 days 🔍
08/09/2025 +512 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2021-47110 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-47110
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-257010

Entryinfo

Created: 03/15/2024 22:45
Updated: 08/09/2025 17:16
Changes: 03/15/2024 22:45 (44), 03/13/2025 23:29 (27), 08/09/2025 17:16 (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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