CVE-2012-6704

Name: CVE-2012-6704
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-12-28T07:59:00.15+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.41%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2012-6704 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The sock_setsockopt function in net/core/sock.c in the Linux kernel before 3.5 mishandles negative values of sk_sndbuf and sk_rcvbuf, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact by leveraging the CAP_NET_ADMIN capability for a crafted setsockopt system call with the (1) SO_SNDBUF or (2) SO_RCVBUF option.. EPSS estimates a 0.41% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The sock_setsockopt function in net/core/sock.c in the Linux kernel before 3.5 mishandles negative values of sk_sndbuf and sk_rcvbuf, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact by leveraging the CAP_NET_ADMIN capability for a crafted setsockopt system call with the (1) SO_SNDBUF or (2) SO_RCVBUF option.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.41%

32.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-119

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 3.2.85
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.3, < 3.5

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=82981930125abfd39d7c8378a9cfdf5e1be2002bPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/12/03/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95135Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1402024Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/82981930125abfd39d7c8378a9cfdf5e1be2002bPatch, Third Party Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=82981930125abfd39d7c8378a9cfdf5e1be2002bPatch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/12/03/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95135Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1402024Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/82981930125abfd39d7c8378a9cfdf5e1be2002bPatch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 28, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-6704?

How severe is CVE-2012-6704?

CVE-2012-6704 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.41% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2012-6704?

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-2012-6704?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST