CVE-2015-8970

Name: CVE-2015-8970
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2016-11-28T03:59:02.31+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 0.50%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2015-8970 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. crypto/algif_skcipher.c in the Linux kernel before 4.4.2 does not verify that a setkey operation has been performed on an AF_ALG socket before an accept system call is processed, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) via a crafted application that does not supply a key, related to the lrw_crypt function in crypto/lrw.c.. EPSS estimates a 0.50% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

crypto/algif_skcipher.c in the Linux kernel before 4.4.2 does not verify that a setkey operation has been performed on an AF_ALG socket before an accept system call is processed, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) via a crafted application that does not supply a key, related to the lrw_crypt function in crypto/lrw.c.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

0.50%

38.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-476

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	<= 4.4.1

References

http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=dd504589577d8e8e70f51f997ad487a4cb6c026fIssue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.4.2Release Notes
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/04/3Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94217Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1842
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2077
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2437
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2444
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1386286Issue Tracking
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/dd504589577d8e8e70f51f997ad487a4cb6c026fIssue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://groups.google.com/forum/#%21msg/syzkaller/frb2XrB5aWk/xCXzkIBcDAAJ
http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=dd504589577d8e8e70f51f997ad487a4cb6c026fIssue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.4.2Release Notes
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/11/04/3Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94217Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1842
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2077
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2437
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:2444
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1386286Issue Tracking
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/dd504589577d8e8e70f51f997ad487a4cb6c026fIssue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://groups.google.com/forum/#%21msg/syzkaller/frb2XrB5aWk/xCXzkIBcDAAJ

Timeline

Published: Nov 28, 2016
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2015-8970?

How severe is CVE-2015-8970?

Severity scoring for CVE-2015-8970 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 0.50% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2015-8970?

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-2015-8970?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST