CVE-2011-4621

Name: CVE-2011-4621
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2012-05-17T11:00:35.617+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5/10EPSS 0.44%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2011-4621 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.5/10 on the CVSS scale. The Linux kernel before 2.6.37 does not properly implement a certain clock-update optimization, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system hang) via an application that executes code in a loop.. EPSS estimates a 0.44% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The Linux kernel before 2.6.37 does not properly implement a certain clock-update optimization, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system hang) via an application that executes code in a loop.

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

0.44%

35.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-835

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 2.6.37

References

http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.37Broken Link
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=f26f9aff6aaf67e9a430d16c266f91b13a5bff64
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/21/6Exploit, Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=769711Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/f26f9aff6aaf67e9a430d16c266f91b13a5bff64Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.37Broken Link
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=f26f9aff6aaf67e9a430d16c266f91b13a5bff64
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/21/6Exploit, Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=769711Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/f26f9aff6aaf67e9a430d16c266f91b13a5bff64Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 17, 2012
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2011-4621?

How severe is CVE-2011-4621?

CVE-2011-4621 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.44% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2011-4621?

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-2011-4621?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST