CVE-2021-28972

Kernel stack overwrite via malformed device name

Published Mar 22, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Buffer overflow in the Linux kernel RPA PCI Hotplug driver through 5.11.8 allows local users to overwrite kernel stack data via sysfs writes. The add_slot_store and remove_slot_store handlers mishandle drc_name null termination when accepting device names, copying beyond the intended buffer into the kernel stack. Access requires root or CAP_SYS_ADMIN permission to write the driver sysfs settings; successful exploitation can crash the kernel or potentially execute code.

CVSS severity6.7
Medium
EPSS probability0.80%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Buffer overflow in the Linux kernel RPA PCI Hotplug driver through 5.11.8 allows local users to overwrite kernel stack data via sysfs writes. The add_slot_store and remove_slot_store handlers mishandle drc_name null termination when accepting device names, copying beyond the intended buffer into the kernel stack. Access requires root or CAP_SYS_ADMIN permission to write the driver sysfs settings; successful exploitation can crash the kernel or potentially execute code.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-28972
Published
Mar 22, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-120, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 22, 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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.2NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
6.7NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo