CVE-2009-2768

Name: CVE-2009-2768
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2009-08-14T15:16:27.657+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.40%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2009-2768 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The load_flat_shared_library function in fs/binfmt_flat.c in the flat subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.31-rc6 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact by executing a shared flat binary, which triggers an access of an "uninitialized cred pointer.". EPSS estimates a 0.40% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The load_flat_shared_library function in fs/binfmt_flat.c in the flat subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.31-rc6 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact by executing a shared flat binary, which triggers an access of an "uninitialized cred pointer."

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.40%

32.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 2.6.31	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	2.6.31	Rc1

References

http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=3440625d78711bee41a84cf29c3d8c579b522666Broken Link
http://lkml.org/lkml/2009/6/22/91Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://secunia.com/advisories/36278Broken Link
http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.linux.hardware.blackfin.kernel.devel/1905Broken Link
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.30.5Broken Link
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/testing/ChangeLog-2.6.31-rc6Broken Link
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2011:051Broken Link
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/13/1Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36037Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/52909Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=3440625d78711bee41a84cf29c3d8c579b522666Broken Link
http://lkml.org/lkml/2009/6/22/91Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://secunia.com/advisories/36278Broken Link
http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.linux.hardware.blackfin.kernel.devel/1905Broken Link
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.30.5Broken Link
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/testing/ChangeLog-2.6.31-rc6Broken Link
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2011:051Broken Link
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/13/1Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36037Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/52909Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry

Timeline

Published: Aug 14, 2009
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2009-2768?

How severe is CVE-2009-2768?

CVE-2009-2768 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.40% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2009-2768?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2009-2768?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST