CVE-2021-3679

Name: CVE-2021-3679
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-08-05T20:15:09.627+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5/10EPSS 0.73%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-3679 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.5/10 on the CVSS scale. A lack of CPU resource in the Linux kernel tracing module functionality in versions prior to 5.14-rc3 was found in the way user uses trace ring buffer in a specific way. Only privileged local users (with CAP_SYS_ADMIN capability) could use this flaw to starve the resources causing denial of service.. EPSS estimates a 0.73% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A lack of CPU resource in the Linux kernel tracing module functionality in versions prior to 5.14-rc3 was found in the way user uses trace ring buffer in a specific way. Only privileged local users (with CAP_SYS_ADMIN capability) could use this flaw to starve the resources causing denial of service.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.73%

49.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 5.14
Linux	Linux Kernel	5.14
Redhat	Enterprise Linux	8.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0

References

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1989165Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=67f0d6d9883c13174669f88adac4f0ee656cc16aMailing List, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00010.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/12/msg00012.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4978Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1989165Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=67f0d6d9883c13174669f88adac4f0ee656cc16aMailing List, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00010.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/12/msg00012.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4978Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 5, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-3679?

How severe is CVE-2021-3679?

CVE-2021-3679 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.73% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-3679?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-3679?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST