CVE-2021-46283

Name: CVE-2021-46283
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2022-01-11T22:15:07.683+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5/10EPSS 0.32%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-46283 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.5/10 on the CVSS scale. nf_tables_newset in net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c in the Linux kernel before 5.12.13 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and general protection fault) because of the missing initialization for nft_set_elem_expr_alloc. A local user can set a netfilter table expression in their own namespace.. EPSS estimates a 0.32% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

nf_tables_newset in net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c in the Linux kernel before 5.12.13 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and general protection fault) because of the missing initialization for nft_set_elem_expr_alloc. A local user can set a netfilter table expression in their own namespace.

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

0.32%

23.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-665

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 5.12.13

References

https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.12.13Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=ad9f151e560b016b6ad3280b48e42fa11e1a5440Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://syzkaller.appspot.com/bug?id=22c3987f75a7b90e238a26b5a5920525c2d1f345Third Party Advisory
https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.12.13Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=ad9f151e560b016b6ad3280b48e42fa11e1a5440Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://syzkaller.appspot.com/bug?id=22c3987f75a7b90e238a26b5a5920525c2d1f345Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jan 11, 2022
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-46283?

How severe is CVE-2021-46283?

CVE-2021-46283 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.32% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-46283?

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-2021-46283?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST