CVE-2011-2521

Name: CVE-2011-2521
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2012-05-24T23:55:01.683+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 0.40%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2011-2521 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. The x86_assign_hw_event function in arch/x86/kernel/cpu/perf_event.c in the Performance Events subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39 does not properly calculate counter values, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via the perf program.. EPSS estimates a 0.40% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The x86_assign_hw_event function in arch/x86/kernel/cpu/perf_event.c in the Performance Events subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39 does not properly calculate counter values, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via the perf program.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

0.40%

31.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-189

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 2.6.39

References

http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.39Broken Link
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=fc66c5210ec2539e800e87d7b3a985323c7be96e
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/07/06/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=719228Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/fc66c5210ec2539e800e87d7b3a985323c7be96ePatch, Third Party Advisory
http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.39Broken Link
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=fc66c5210ec2539e800e87d7b3a985323c7be96e
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/07/06/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=719228Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/fc66c5210ec2539e800e87d7b3a985323c7be96ePatch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 24, 2012
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2011-2521?

How severe is CVE-2011-2521?

Severity scoring for CVE-2011-2521 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 0.40% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2011-2521?

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-2011-2521?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST