# CVE-2021-3493: Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

- Exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-10-20
- Published: 2021-04-17
- CVSS: 8.8 HIGH (v3.1)
- EPSS: 49.2% (99th percentile)
- CWE: CWE-270

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.

## Edge WAF coverage (claimed by vendors, not measured)

| Vendor | Status | First rule | Days after publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | Before feed history | — | — |
| AWS | No public claim | — | — |
| Microsoft Azure | No public claim | — | — |
| Google Cloud | Before feed history | — | — |
| Fastly | Before feed history | — | — |
| F5 | Before feed history | — | — |
| Akamai | No public source | — | — |
| OWASP CRS | Before feed history | — | — |

"No public claim" means no vendor statement names this CVE; "Before feed history" means the CVE is older than the vendor feed. In both cases generic rules may still block it.

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