CVE-2009-1338

CVE-2009-1338 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-264.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 4.6)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (31st percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-264
• Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
• Published: 2009-04-22
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The kill_something_info function in kernel/signal.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.28 does not consider PID namespaces when processing signals directed to PID -1, which allows local users to bypass the intended namespace isolation, and send arbitrary signals to all processes in all namespaces, via a kill command.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-1338?

The kill_something_info function in kernel/signal.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.28 does not consider PID namespaces when processing signals directed to PID -1, which allows local users to bypass the intended namespace isolation, and send arbitrary signals to all processes in all namespaces, via a kill command.

How severe is CVE-2009-1338?

CVE-2009-1338 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.6, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2009-1338 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (31st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-1338?

CVE-2009-1338 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 130 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-1338?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2009-1338 published?

CVE-2009-1338 was published on 2009-04-22 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=d25141a818383b3c3b09f065698c544a7a0ec6e7
• http://lkml.org/lkml/2008/7/23/148
• http://secunia.com/advisories/34981
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35120
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35121
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35343
• http://secunia.com/advisories/35656
• http://wiki.rpath.com/Advisories:rPSA-2009-0084
• http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1787
• http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1800
• http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.28
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/04/16/2
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/04/17/4
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/04/21/1
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-1081.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/503610/100/0/threaded
• http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-793-1
• https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=496031
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/50386

Affected products (130)

• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.2.27:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.4.36:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.4.36.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.4.36.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.4.36.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.4.36.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.4.36.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.4.36.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.18:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.18:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.18:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.18:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.18:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.18:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.18:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.18:rc7:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.19.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.19.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.19.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.19.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.20.16:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.20.17:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.20.18:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.20.19:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.20.20:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.20.21:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.21.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.21.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.21.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.22.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.22.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.22.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.22.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.22.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.22.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.22.12:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.22.13:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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