CVE-2015-8963

Name: CVE-2015-8963
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-11-16T05:59:02.89+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7/10EPSS 1.43%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2015-8963 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7/10 on the CVSS scale. Race condition in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 4.4 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (use-after-free) by leveraging incorrect handling of an swevent data structure during a CPU unplug operation.. EPSS estimates a 1.43% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Race condition in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 4.4 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (use-after-free) by leveraging incorrect handling of an swevent data structure during a CPU unplug operation.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7/10

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

EPSS Probability

1.43%

69.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 3.2.85
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.3, < 3.16.40
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.17, < 3.18.54
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 3.19, < 4.4

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=12ca6ad2e3a896256f086497a7c7406a547ee373Patch, Third Party Advisory, Vendor Advisory
http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-11-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94207Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/12ca6ad2e3a896256f086497a7c7406a547ee373Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=12ca6ad2e3a896256f086497a7c7406a547ee373Patch, Third Party Advisory, Vendor Advisory
http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-11-01.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94207Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/12ca6ad2e3a896256f086497a7c7406a547ee373Patch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 16, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2015-8963?

How severe is CVE-2015-8963?

CVE-2015-8963 has a CVSS score of 7/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.43% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2015-8963?

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-2015-8963?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST