Linux Kernel up to 5.14.14 nf_tables net/netfilter/core.c null pointer dereference

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 5.14.14. The impacted element is an unknown function of the file net/netfilter/core.c of the component nf_tables. This manipulation causes null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2021-47452. No exploit is available. You should upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.14.14 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is some unknown functionality of the file net/netfilter/core.c of the component nf_tables. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: skip netdev events generated on netns removal syzbot reported following (harmless) WARN: WARNING: CPU: 1 PID: 2648 at net/netfilter/core.c:468 nft_netdev_unregister_hooks net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c:230 [inline] nf_tables_unregister_hook include/net/netfilter/nf_tables.h:1090 [inline] __nft_release_basechain+0x138/0x640 net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c:9524 nft_netdev_event net/netfilter/nft_chain_filter.c:351 [inline] nf_tables_netdev_event+0x521/0x8a0 net/netfilter/nft_chain_filter.c:382 reproducer: unshare -n bash -c 'ip link add br0 type bridge; nft add table netdev t ; \ nft add chain netdev t ingress \{ type filter hook ingress device "br0" \ priority 0\; policy drop\; \}' Problem is that when netns device exit hooks create the UNREGISTER event, the .pre_exit hook for nf_tables core has already removed the base hook. Notifier attempts to do this again. The need to do base hook unregister unconditionally was needed in the past, because notifier was last stage where reg->dev dereference was safe. Now that nf_tables does the hook removal in .pre_exit, this isn't needed anymore.
It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2021-47452 since 05/21/2024. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.
Upgrading to version 5.14.15 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 90c7c58aa2bd/68a3765c659f 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.
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Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
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: Null pointer dereferenceCWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
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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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: Kernel 5.14.15
Patch: 90c7c58aa2bd/68a3765c659f
Timeline
05/21/2024 🔍05/22/2024 🔍
05/22/2024 🔍
09/29/2025 🔍
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2021-47452 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-47452
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-265855
Entry
Created: 05/22/2024 09:11Updated: 09/29/2025 18:58
Changes: 05/22/2024 09:11 (58), 09/29/2025 18:58 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
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