CVE-2013-2094
KEVLinux Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Description
Linux kernel fails to check all 64 bits of attr.config passed by user space, resulting to out-of-bounds access of the perf_swevent_enabled array in sw_perf_event_destroy(). Explotation allows for privilege escalation.
The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9 uses an incorrect integer data type, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted perf_event_open system call.
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedMay 14, 2013
Last modifiedJun 16, 2026
Added to KEVSep 15, 2022
Remediation dueOct 6, 2022
References
- git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=8176cced706b5e5d15887584150764894e94e02fNot Applicable
- lists.centos.org/pipermail/centos-announce/2013-May/019729.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- lists.centos.org/pipermail/centos-announce/2013-May/019733.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-05/msg00008.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-05/msg00018.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-06/msg00005.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-06/msg00009.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-06/msg00017.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- lkml.indiana.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1304.1/03652.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- lkml.indiana.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1304.1/03976.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- lkml.indiana.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1304.1/04302.htmlThird Party Advisory
- news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5703758Third Party Advisory
0 recent articles mention this CVE
77
Risk assessment · High
Actively exploited. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1481 days
- CVSS
- 8.4 HIGH
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 47.7% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-189
- Preconditions
- No privileges and no user interaction
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.