CVE-2021-47256

Kernel panic via skipped page-writeback wait

Published May 21, 2024 · Updated May 11, 2026

A writeback synchronization flaw in the Linux kernel allows local users to trigger a kernel panic during inode eviction after memory unmapping. The memory_failure path calls identify_page_state without waiting for writeback after __munlock_pagevec clears the page LRU without locking the page, and truncate_error_page then clears its mapping before writeback completion can clear inode state. Low-privileged local access and the required mmap, unmap, memory-failure, and unlink sequence are needed; the documented consequence is a host crash.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.23%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A writeback synchronization flaw in the Linux kernel allows local users to trigger a kernel panic during inode eviction after memory unmapping. The memory_failure path calls identify_page_state without waiting for writeback after __munlock_pagevec clears the page LRU without locking the page, and truncate_error_page then clears its mapping before writeback completion can clear inode state. Low-privileged local access and the required mmap, unmap, memory-failure, and unlink sequence are needed; the documented consequence is a host crash.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-47256
Published
May 21, 2024
Updated
May 11, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
T1499
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 21, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 11, 2026Record 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=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <28788dc5c70597395b6b451dae4549bbaa8e2c56
  2. Affected versionversion=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <566345aaabac853aa866f53a219c4b02a6beb527
  3. Affected versionversion=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <6d210d547adc2218ef8b5bcf23518c5f2f1fd872
  4. Affected versionversion=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <9e379da727a7a031be9b877cde7b9c34a0fb8306
  5. Affected versionversion=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <d05267fd27a5c4f54e06daefa3035995d765ca0c
  6. Affected versionversion=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <e8675d291ac007e1c636870db880f837a9ea112a
  7. Affected versionversion=3.16

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <28788dc5c70597395b6b451dae4549bbaa8e2c56; version=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <566345aaabac853aa866f53a219c4b02a6beb527; version=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <6d210d547adc2218ef8b5bcf23518c5f2f1fd872; version=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <9e379da727a7a031be9b877cde7b9c34a0fb8306; version=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <d05267fd27a5c4f54e06daefa3035995d765ca0c; version=0bc1f8b0682caa39f45ce1e0228ebf43acb46111 <e8675d291ac007e1c636870db880f837a9ea112a; version=3.16

Published CVSS scores

5.5NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
0.0SUSECVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:N
5.5Amazon LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

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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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1499Endpoint Denial of Service

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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