CVE-2021-21781

Kernel memory disclosure via uninitialized ARM sigpage

Published Aug 18, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Information disclosure in the ARM sigpage of Linux Kernel 5.4.54 and 5.4.66 allows local users to read residual kernel memory. The ARM get_signal_page function allocates a page and copies signal-return code into it without first initializing the remaining bytes, then maps the whole page into user space. Running an ARM userland process is sufficient to inspect the mapped sigpage; the consequence is limited to disclosure of leftover kernel memory.

CVSS severity3.3
Low
EPSS probability0.50%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Information disclosure in the ARM sigpage of Linux Kernel 5.4.54 and 5.4.66 allows local users to read residual kernel memory. The ARM get_signal_page function allocates a page and copies signal-return code into it without first initializing the remaining bytes, then maps the whole page into user space. Running an ARM userland process is sufficient to inspect the mapped sigpage; the consequence is limited to disclosure of leftover kernel memory.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-21781
Published
Aug 18, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-908, T1005
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 18, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Linux Kernel v5.4.54, Linux Kernel v5.4.66

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=Linux Kernel v5.4.54, Linux Kernel v5.4.66

Published CVSS scores

2.1NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
4.0Cisco TalosCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
3.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-908Use of Uninitialized Resource
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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