Vulnerability record · CVE-2021-31440 · published 21 May 2021
CVE-2021-31440: Linux kernel vulnerability
Linux · Linux Kernel
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Linux Kernel 5.11.15. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the handling of eBPF programs. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied eBPF programs prior to executing them. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the kernel. Was ZDI-CAN-13661.
Description
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Linux Kernel 5.11.15. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the handling of eBPF programs. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied eBPF programs prior to executing them. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the kernel. Was ZDI-CAN-13661.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Affected products
10 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.
References
| Link | Tags |
|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=10bf4e83167cc68595b85fd73bb91e8f2c086e36 | PatchVendor Advisory |
| https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210706-0003/ | Third Party Advisory |
| https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-503/ | Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
| https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=10bf4e83167cc68595b85fd73bb91e8f2c086e36 | PatchVendor Advisory |
| https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210706-0003/ | Third Party Advisory |
| https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-503/ | Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry |
Track CVE-2021-31440 inside VULONE
Watch it alongside the ransomware crews, C2 infrastructure and forum chatter that reference it, query it through the API and pull it into your SIEM over TAXII.
Related vulnerabilities
Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2021-31440), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-27). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.