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TI-2011-03599 Aliases CVE-2011-4080GHSA-j72v-r3gf-6w7r

The sysrq_sysctl_handler function in kernel/sysctl.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39…

Priority LOW 19CWE-264Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
None
User interaction
— Not recorded in CVSS 2.0
Attack complexity
High
Impact type
Security bypass
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
Complete · None · None
Fix status
Partial Red Hat: 8 fixed, 3 without a fix

Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-264.

Summary

The sysrq_sysctl_handler function in kernel/sysctl.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39 does not require the CAP_SYS_ADMIN capability to modify the dmesg_restrict value, which allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions and read the kernel ring buffer by leveraging root privileges, as demonstrated by a root user in a Linux Containers (aka LXC) environment.

Why it matters now

EPSS 0.00349 28th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Red Hat: 1 advisoryRed Hat: 8 fixed, 3 without a fix

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
——all versions—No fix listedCNA
  • — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*before 2.6.39VulnerableLinux
  • cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 2.6.39 Vulnerable ·Linux

Remediation

Red Hat 1 advisory

  • RHSA-2012:0481 Released 2012-04-17 · Red Hat rating Moderate
    kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 6) kernel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, kernel-debug-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, kernel-debug-devel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6 +5
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Optional (v. 6) kernel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, python-perf-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node (v. 6) kernel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, kernel-debug-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, kernel-debug-devel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6 +5
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node Optional (v. 6) kernel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, python-perf-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) kernel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, kernel-bootwrapper-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, kernel-debug-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6 +8
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 6) kernel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, python-perf-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6) kernel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, kernel-debug-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, kernel-debug-devel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6 +5
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 6) kernel-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6, python-perf-2.6.32-220.13.1.el6

Vendor assessments

Red Hat

Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →

ProductStatusPlan or fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4AffectedNo fix yet
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5AffectedNo fix yet
Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2AffectedNo fix yet
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2012:0481
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Optional (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2012:0481
Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2012:0481
Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node Optional (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2012:0481
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2012:0481
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2012:0481
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2012:0481
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 6)Fixed RHSA-2012:0481

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2011-4080
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-j72v-r3gf-6w7r

References

Patch 1

Advisory 1

Other 2

  • TI-2025-26358 tls: fix handling of zero-length records on the rx_list KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
  • TI-2026-38352 netfilter: bridge: make ebt_snat ARP rewrite writable KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2013-05264 The (1) get_user and (2) put_user API functions in the Linux kernel before 3.5.5 on the… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2022-00125 Integer overflow in kernel KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.4
  • TI-2013-01864 The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.4
  • TI-2021-05514 Heap Out-Of-Bounds Write in Netfilter IP6T_SO_SET_REPLACE KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.3
See all 15278 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences