CVE-2011-4080

Name: CVE-2011-4080
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2012-05-24T23:55:02.433+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 0.35%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2011-4080 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. The sysrq_sysctl_handler function in kernel/sysctl.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39 does not require the CAP_SYS_ADMIN capability to modify the dmesg_restrict value, which allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions and read the kernel ring buffer by leveraging root privileges, as demonstrated by a root user in a Linux Containers (aka LXC) environment.. EPSS estimates a 0.35% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The sysrq_sysctl_handler function in kernel/sysctl.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39 does not require the CAP_SYS_ADMIN capability to modify the dmesg_restrict value, which allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions and read the kernel ring buffer by leveraging root privileges, as demonstrated by a root user in a Linux Containers (aka LXC) environment.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

0.35%

26.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-264

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=bfdc0b497faa82a0ba2f9dddcf109231dd519fcc
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/10/26/10Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/bfdc0b497faa82a0ba2f9dddcf109231dd519fccPatch, 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=bfdc0b497faa82a0ba2f9dddcf109231dd519fcc
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/10/26/10Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/bfdc0b497faa82a0ba2f9dddcf109231dd519fccPatch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2011-4080?

How severe is CVE-2011-4080?

Severity scoring for CVE-2011-4080 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 0.35% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2011-4080?

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-2011-4080?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST