CVE-2021-38160

Name: CVE-2021-38160
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-08-07T04:15:06.967+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.40%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-38160 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. In drivers/char/virtio_console.c in the Linux kernel before 5.13.4, data corruption or loss can be triggered by an untrusted device that supplies a buf->len value exceeding the buffer size. NOTE: the vendor indicates that the cited data corruption is not a vulnerability in any existing use case; the length validation was added solely for robustness in the face of anomalous host OS behavior. EPSS estimates a 0.40% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In drivers/char/virtio_console.c in the Linux kernel before 5.13.4, data corruption or loss can be triggered by an untrusted device that supplies a buf->len value exceeding the buffer size. NOTE: the vendor indicates that the cited data corruption is not a vulnerability in any existing use case; the length validation was added solely for robustness in the face of anomalous host OS behavior

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.40%

31.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-120

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 2.6.24, < 4.4.276
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.5, < 4.9.276
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.10, < 4.14.240
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.15, < 4.19.198
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.20, < 5.4.134
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.5, < 5.10.52
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.11, < 5.12.19
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.13, < 5.13.4
Netapp	Hci Bootstrap Os	All versions
Netapp	Hci Management Node	All versions
Netapp	Solidfire	All versions
Netapp	Element Software	All versions
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux	8.0

References

https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2021-38160Third Party Advisory
https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.13.4Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/d00d8da5869a2608e97cfede094dfc5e11462a46Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00010.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/12/msg00012.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210902-0010/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4978Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2021-38160Third Party Advisory
https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.13.4Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/d00d8da5869a2608e97cfede094dfc5e11462a46Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00010.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/12/msg00012.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210902-0010/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4978Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 7, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-38160?

How severe is CVE-2021-38160?

CVE-2021-38160 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.40% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-38160?

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-2021-38160?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST