CVE-2021-3493 - CVE House
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Status published High CVE-2021-3493

The overlayfs implementation in the linux kernel did not properly...

Vulnerability Description

The overlayfs implementation in the linux kernel did not properly validate with respect to user namespaces the setting of file capabilities on files in an underlying file system. Due to the combination of unprivileged user namespaces along with a patch carried in the Ubuntu kernel to allow unprivileged overlay mounts, an attacker could use this to gain elevated privileges.

Impact Analysis

Refer to official advisory for detailed impact metrics.

Remediation

Ensure systems are updated to the latest vendor-supplied patch levels.

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Credits & Attribution

The following person or organization is credited with identifying this vulnerability, as recorded in the NVD database:

  • An independent security researcher reporting to the SSD Secure Disclosure program

Affected Vendor

Affected Software

linux kernel
Vulnerable Versions:
5.8 kernel, 5.4 kernel, 4.15 kernel, 4.4 kernel

Timeline

Official Publish: April 17th, 2021
Last Modified: October 21st, 2025
Added to House: July 21st, 2026

CVSS Vectors

V3: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weaknesses (CWE)

MITRE ATT&CK TTPs

No associated TTPs found for this vulnerability.