CVE-2021-47193 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically related to the SCSI pm80xx driver. The issue arises from improper memory management during the removal of the driver module (rmmod). When the pm80xx driver is unloaded, it fails to release all the memory it allocated, resulting in a memory leak. This flaw is rooted in the driver's failure to properly free allocated memory during module removal, which can lead to increased memory consumption over time if the driver is repeatedly loaded and unloaded. While this vulnerability does not directly allow for code execution or privilege escalation, the memory leak can degrade system performance and stability, especially on systems where the driver is frequently reloaded or on long-running systems where memory resources are constrained. The vulnerability has been addressed by updating the driver to ensure that all allocated memory is properly freed upon module removal, thus preventing the leak. There are no known exploits in the wild targeting this vulnerability, and it does not require user interaction or authentication to manifest, as it occurs during module removal operations typically performed by system administrators or automated processes.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-47193 is primarily related to system reliability and resource management rather than direct security breaches. Organizations running Linux systems with the pm80xx SCSI driver—commonly found in certain storage controller environments—may experience gradual memory depletion if the driver is frequently unloaded and reloaded without applying the patch. This can lead to degraded system performance, potential system instability, or crashes in critical infrastructure environments such as data centers, cloud services, or enterprise storage solutions. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the availability of affected systems could be impacted, which is critical for sectors relying on high uptime and stable storage operations. European organizations with large-scale Linux deployments, particularly those in finance, telecommunications, and government sectors, should be aware of this issue to maintain operational continuity.

To mitigate CVE-2021-47193, European organizations should: 1) Apply the latest Linux kernel updates that include the fix for the pm80xx driver memory leak to ensure proper memory deallocation during module removal. 2) Audit systems to identify the presence and usage of the pm80xx driver, especially in environments where modules are frequently loaded and unloaded. 3) Implement monitoring for unusual memory usage patterns on systems running the affected driver to detect potential leaks early. 4) Limit unnecessary unloading and reloading of kernel modules in production environments to reduce exposure. 5) Incorporate this vulnerability into patch management and vulnerability scanning processes to ensure timely remediation. 6) For critical systems, consider scheduled reboots or memory cleanup procedures as interim measures until patches are applied.