CVE-2021-20194
kernel: heap overflow in __cgroup_bpf_run_filter_getsockopt()
Severity
ModerateRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.1
Review impact separately from score.
Published · January 22, 2021
Updated · June 28, 2026
Description
A flaw buffer overflow in the Linux kernel BPF subsystem was found in the way user running BPF script calling getsockopt. A local user could use this flaw to crash the system or possibly escalate their privileges on the system.
Statement
This flaw is rated as having Moderate impact because of the need to have elevated privileges or non-standard configuration for running BPF script.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
The default Red Hat Enterprise Linux kernel prevents unprivileged users from being able to use eBPF by the kernel.unprivileged_bpf_disabled sysctl. This would require a privileged user with CAP_SYS_ADMIN or root to be able to abuse this flaw reducing its attack space.
For the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 the eBPF for unprivileged users is always disabled.
For the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 to confirm the current state, inspect the sysctl with the command:
cat /proc/sys/kernel/unprivileged_bpf_disabled
The setting of 1 would mean that unprivileged users can not use eBPF.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.1 · 7CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE-400 · Uncontrolled Resource Consumption