CVE-2021-45480 : What You Need to Know

An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel before 5.15.11, leading to a memory leak in a specific function.

Understanding CVE-2021-45480

What is CVE-2021-45480?

CVE-2021-45480 is a memory leak vulnerability found in the __rds_conn_create() function within the Linux kernel versions prior to 5.15.11.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45480

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition by consuming excessive memory resources on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45480

Vulnerability Description

The issue exists due to a memory leak in the __rds_conn_create() function located in net/rds/connection.c under specific circumstances.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems running Linux kernel versions before 5.15.11 are vulnerable.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by triggering the specific conditions that lead to the memory leak.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary security patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers.
Monitor system resources for any unusual memory consumption patterns.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version.
Employ network segmentation and access controls to minimize the attack surface.

Patching and Updates

Download and apply the patch for CVE-2021-45480 from the Linux kernel repository.