CVE-2021-21341 is a vulnerability that was discovered in the Linux kernel's filesystem layer, specifically in the f2fs file system. The flaw exists due to an error in the software design and implementation, which could allow an attacker with local access to the affected system to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, indicating it is a high severity issue
The vulnerability was first reported on February 17th, 2021, by security researcher Wen Xu from SSLab at Georgia Tech. The Linux kernel team were alerted immediately and worked on a patch for the vulnerability, which was released as part of the Linux kernel 5.12-rc1 on February 28th, 2021. Linux distributions such as Red Hat, Ubuntu, and Debian have since issued updates to their users to address this vulnerability
If left unpatched, the CVE-2021-21341 vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain root access to a Linux system, giving them complete control over the device and potentially allowing them to install malware, steal sensitive information, or carry out other malicious activities. It is therefore crucial for individuals and organizations using Linux systems to ensure they have applied the appropriate security patches to protect against this vulnerability.