CVE-2011-2479

Name: CVE-2011-2479
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2013-03-01T12:37:53.693+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5/10EPSS 0.51%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2011-2479 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.5/10 on the CVSS scale. The Linux kernel before 2.6.39 does not properly create transparent huge pages in response to a MAP_PRIVATE mmap system call on /dev/zero, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a crafted application.. EPSS estimates a 0.51% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The Linux kernel before 2.6.39 does not properly create transparent huge pages in response to a MAP_PRIVATE mmap system call on /dev/zero, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a crafted application.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.51%

39.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-399

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 2.6.39

References

http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.39Third Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=78f11a255749d09025f54d4e2df4fbcb031530e2
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/06/20/14Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=714761Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/78f11a255749d09025f54d4e2df4fbcb031530e2Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.39Third Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=78f11a255749d09025f54d4e2df4fbcb031530e2
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/06/20/14Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=714761Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/78f11a255749d09025f54d4e2df4fbcb031530e2Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Mar 1, 2013
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2011-2479?

How severe is CVE-2011-2479?

CVE-2011-2479 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.51% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2011-2479?

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-2011-2479?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST