CVE-2021-20269: A flaw was found in the permissions of a log file created by kexec-tools

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-20269?

kexec-tools: upgrade to 2.0.20-47, 2.0.21-8. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-20269 being exploited?

CVE-2021-20269 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-20269 affect?

CVE-2021-20269 affects kexec-tools. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). A flaw was found in the permissions of a log file created by kexec-tools. This flaw allows a local unprivileged user to read this file and leak kernel internal information from a previous panic. The highest threat from this vulnerability is

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-20269?

Priority 23/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5UPGRADE

CVE-2021-20269 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting kexec-tools. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A flaw was found in the permissions of a log file created by kexec-tools. This flaw allows a local unprivileged user to read this file and leak kernel internal information from a previous panic. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to confidentiality. This flaw affects kexec-tools shipped by Fedora versions prior to 2.0.21-8 and RHEL versions prior to 2.0.20-47.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 83%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-276
Published	2022-03-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: kexec-tools project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-03-10 17:41 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:33 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kexec-tools project kexec-tools UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.0.21-8 · < 2.0.20-47

Fixed in: 2.0.20-47, 2.0.21-8

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy kexec-tools || rpm -q kexec-tools || kexec-tools --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.0.20-47 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade kexec-tools

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade kexec-tools

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-20269?

kexec-tools: upgrade to 2.0.20-47, 2.0.21-8. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-20269 being exploited?

CVE-2021-20269 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-20269 affect?

CVE-2021-20269 affects kexec-tools. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). A flaw was found in the permissions of a log file created by kexec-tools. This flaw allows a local unprivileged user to read this file and leak kernel internal information from a previous panic. The highest threat from this vulnerability is

How urgent is CVE-2021-20269?

Priority 23/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

Red Hat Enterprise Linux vulnerabilities

References

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