CVE-2021-37600 — An integer overflow in util-linux through 2.37.1 can potentially cause a buffer overflow if an...
An integer overflow in util-linux through 2.37.1 can potentially cause a buffer overflow if an attacker were able to use system resources in a way that leads to a large number in the /proc/sysvipc/sem file. NOTE: this is unexploitable in GNU C Library environments, and possibly in all realistic environments.
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- EPSS 0.7% (30-day exploitation probability)+8
- Technical severity (medium)+3
The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
- Documented patch — github.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Kernel Util-linux, Netapp Ontap Select Deploy Administration Utility).
- Apply the fixed version or the patch documented under Remediation.
- Exploitation requires user interaction: tighten email/web filtering and warn affected users.
- Search available logs for exploit probes matching the vulnerability class (memory corruption), errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kernel | Util-linux | ≤ 2.37.1 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Netapp | Ontap Select Deploy Administration Utility | versions not specified by the source | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
Attack characteristics
The CVSS vector, decoded. It describes the attack, not your exposure to it.
Every base score collected
Sources score independently and may disagree; each row says who scored it and under which version.
| Score | Version | Severity | Expl. | Impact | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | CVSS 3.1 | Medium | 1.8 | 3.6 | nvd@nist.gov via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 5.5 | CVSS 3.1 | Medium | — | — | GitHub, Inc. via GitHub Security Advisories |
| 1.2 | CVSS 2.0 | Low | 1.9 | 2.9 | nvd@nist.gov via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H (score shown at the top: nvd@nist.gov) Weakness MITRE
Weakness class according to MITRE’s CWE catalog.
EPSS over time FIRST
Oct 13, 2026 → Oct 14, 2026 · 2 reading(s) · max 0.66%
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.
- Local/physical vector: focus on endpoint telemetry (EDR) from affected hosts.
- Correlate service crashes/restarts with inbound traffic; repeated crashes may indicate attempts.
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Record published
- Fix documented
- Affected products added · kernel/util-linux, netapp/ontap select deploy administration utility
- CVSS changed · 5.5
- Source status changed · → Modified
- Record created in this database
- 2021
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 2× References added · Oct 14, 2026 – Oct 14, 2026
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 14, 2026 – Oct 14, 2026
References
9 on the record
- github.com/karelzak/util-linux/commit/1c9143d0c1f979c3daf10e1c37b5b1e916c22a1c
- github.com/advisories/GHSA-3jhw-vwp2-45mp
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37600
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-398330.html
- github.com/karelzak/util-linux/issues/1395
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210902-0002
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210902-0002/
- security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-08
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/04/msg00005.html
Elsewhere on this site
Related CVEs (same products)
- Medium CVE-2026-13595 Util-linux: util-linux: heap use-after-free in libblkid nested partition probing Jun 29, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-27456 util-linux: TOCTOU Race Condition in util-linux mount(8) - Loop Device Setup Apr 3, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-3184 Util-linux: util-linux: access control bypass due to improper hostname canonicalization Apr 3, 2026
- Low CVE-2025-0167 netrc and default credential leak Feb 5, 2025
- Low CVE-2024-11053 netrc and redirect credential leak Dec 11, 2024
- Medium CVE-2024-8096 OCSP stapling bypass with GnuTLS Sep 11, 2024
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No CISA SSVC assessment.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record
Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2021-37600 is "An integer overflow in util-linux through 2.37.1 can potentially cause a buffer overflow if an...", rated Medium. It affects Util-linux (Kernel); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. CVSS 5.5 describes technical severity. EPSS 0.66% estimates the probability of exploitation in 30 days; neither replaces your asset context. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.
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