How severe is CVE-2021-4202?

CVE-2021-4202 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-4202 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-4202?

CVE-2021-4202 affects Linux Linux Kernel. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-4202?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-4202 published?

CVE-2021-4202 was published on 2022-03-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-4202

CVE-2021-4202 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-362.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
CVSS v2: 6.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (28th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-362
Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
Published: 2022-03-25
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A use-after-free flaw was found in nci_request in net/nfc/nci/core.c in NFC Controller Interface (NCI) in the Linux kernel. This flaw could allow a local attacker with user privileges to cause a data race problem while the device is getting removed, leading to a privilege escalation problem.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-4202?: A use-after-free flaw was found in nci_request in net/nfc/nci/core.c in NFC Controller Interface (NCI) in the Linux kernel. This flaw could allow a local attacker with user privileges to cause a data race problem while the device is getting removed, leading to a privilege escalation problem.
How severe is CVE-2021-4202?: CVE-2021-4202 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-4202 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-4202?: CVE-2021-4202 affects Linux Linux Kernel. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-4202?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-4202 published?: CVE-2021-4202 was published on 2022-03-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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