CVE-2021-3760Public exploit

Kernel memory corruption via stale NFC connection pointer

Published Feb 16, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Use after free in the Linux kernel NFC stack allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through crafted NCI response packets. nci_core_conn_close_rsp_packet frees an nci_conn_info object without clearing ndev->rf_conn_info, and nci_rf_intf_activated_ntf_packet later writes through that dangling pointer. Exploitation requires control of an NFC controller or NET_ADMIN access to simulate one; the write can crash the kernel or enable further heap manipulation.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability0.35%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use after free in the Linux kernel NFC stack allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through crafted NCI response packets. nci_core_conn_close_rsp_packet frees an nci_conn_info object without clearing ndev->rf_conn_info, and nci_rf_intf_activated_ntf_packet later writes through that dangling pointer. Exploitation requires control of an NFC controller or NET_ADMIN access to simulate one; the write can crash the kernel or enable further heap manipulation.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3760
Published
Feb 16, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 16, 2022CVE 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=kernel 5.14.15-100.fc33, kernel 5.14.15-200.fc34, kernel 5.14.15-300.fc35

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=kernel 5.14.15-100.fc33, kernel 5.14.15-200.fc34, kernel 5.14.15-300.fc35

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.0Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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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