CVE-2012-2123

Name: CVE-2012-2123
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2012-05-17T11:00:38.367+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 0.42%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2012-2123 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. The cap_bprm_set_creds function in security/commoncap.c in the Linux kernel before 3.3.3 does not properly handle the use of file system capabilities (aka fcaps) for implementing a privileged executable file, which allows local users to bypass intended personality restrictions via a crafted application, as demonstrated by an attack that uses a parent process to disable ASLR.. EPSS estimates a 0.42% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The cap_bprm_set_creds function in security/commoncap.c in the Linux kernel before 3.3.3 does not properly handle the use of file system capabilities (aka fcaps) for implementing a privileged executable file, which allows local users to bypass intended personality restrictions via a crafted application, as demonstrated by an attack that uses a parent process to disable ASLR.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

0.42%

33.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-264

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 3.0.29
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.1, < 3.2.16
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.3, < 3.3.3

References

http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=d52fc5dde171f030170a6cb78034d166b13c9445Broken Link
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0670.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0743.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.debian.org/security/2012/dsa-2469Third Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.3.3Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/04/20/6Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/53166Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1027072Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=806722Issue Tracking
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/75043VDB Entry
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/d52fc5dde171f030170a6cb78034d166b13c9445Third Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=d52fc5dde171f030170a6cb78034d166b13c9445Broken Link
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0670.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0743.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.debian.org/security/2012/dsa-2469Third Party Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.3.3Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/04/20/6Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/53166Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1027072Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=806722Issue Tracking
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/75043VDB Entry
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/d52fc5dde171f030170a6cb78034d166b13c9445Third Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-2123?

How severe is CVE-2012-2123?

Severity scoring for CVE-2012-2123 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 0.42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2012-2123?

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-2012-2123?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST