Linux Kernel up to 5.4.155/5.10.75/5.14.14 audit_filter_rules null pointer dereference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 5.4.155/5.10.75/5.14.14. This affects the function audit_filter_rules. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2021-47464. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.4.155/5.10.75/5.14.14. Affected is the function audit_filter_rules. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: audit: fix possible null-pointer dereference in audit_filter_rules Fix possible null-pointer dereference in audit_filter_rules. audit_filter_rules() error: we previously assumed 'ctx' could be null

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2021-47464. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 235794 (Amazon Linux 2 : kernel (ALASKERNEL-5.4-2025-099)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.156, 5.10.76 or 5.14.15 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch d6f451f1f60c/16802fa4c33e/4e9e46a70020/6e3ee990c904 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 (235794). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.4.155
• 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
• 5.14.0
• 5.14.1
• 5.14.2
• 5.14.3
• 5.14.4
• 5.14.5
• 5.14.6
• 5.14.7
• 5.14.8
• 5.14.9
• 5.14.10
• 5.14.11
• 5.14.12
• 5.14.13
• 5.14.14

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Discussion