Linux Kernel up to 5.4.161/5.10.81/5.15.4 bpf perf_env__insert_btf memory leak

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 5.4.161/5.10.81/5.15.4. This impacts the function perf_env__insert_btf of the component bpf. Such manipulation leads to memory leak.
This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2021-47190. There is no exploit available.
It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.4.161/5.10.81/5.15.4. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function perf_env__insert_btf of the component bpf. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf bpf: Avoid memory leak from perf_env__insert_btf() perf_env__insert_btf() doesn't insert if a duplicate BTF id is encountered and this causes a memory leak. Modify the function to return a success/error value and then free the memory if insertion didn't happen. v2. Adds a return -1 when the insertion error occurs in perf_env__fetch_btf. This doesn't affect anything as the result is never checked.
The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2021-47190 since 03/25/2024. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 239742 (TencentOS Server 2: kernel (TSSA-2024:1030)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.
Upgrading to version 5.4.162, 5.10.82, 5.15.5 or 5.16 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 642fc22210a5/11589d3144bc/ab7c3d8d81c5/4924b1f7c467 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 (239742). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 5.4.161
- 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
- 5.10.38
- 5.10.39
- 5.10.40
- 5.10.41
- 5.10.42
- 5.10.43
- 5.10.44
- 5.10.45
- 5.10.46
- 5.10.47
- 5.10.48
- 5.10.49
- 5.10.50
- 5.10.51
- 5.10.52
- 5.10.53
- 5.10.54
- 5.10.55
- 5.10.56
- 5.10.57
- 5.10.58
- 5.10.59
- 5.10.60
- 5.10.61
- 5.10.62
- 5.10.63
- 5.10.64
- 5.10.65
- 5.10.66
- 5.10.67
- 5.10.68
- 5.10.69
- 5.10.70
- 5.10.71
- 5.10.72
- 5.10.73
- 5.10.74
- 5.10.75
- 5.10.76
- 5.10.77
- 5.10.78
- 5.10.79
- 5.10.80
- 5.10.81
- 5.15.0
- 5.15.1
- 5.15.2
- 5.15.3
- 5.15.4
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
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: Memory leakCWE: CWE-401 / CWE-404
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 |
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Nessus ID: 239742
Nessus Name: TencentOS Server 2: kernel (TSSA-2024:1030)
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.162/5.10.82/5.15.5/5.16
Patch: 642fc22210a5/11589d3144bc/ab7c3d8d81c5/4924b1f7c467
Timeline
03/25/2024 🔍04/10/2024 🔍
04/10/2024 🔍
06/21/2025 🔍
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2021-47190 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-47190
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-260324
Entry
Created: 04/10/2024 21:47Updated: 06/21/2025 02:47
Changes: 04/10/2024 21:47 (58), 01/08/2025 04:28 (12), 06/21/2025 02:47 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
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