How severe is CVE-2009-2768?

CVE-2009-2768 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2009-2768 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (32nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-2768?

CVE-2009-2768 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-2768?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2009-2768 published?

CVE-2009-2768 was published on 2009-08-14 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2009-2768

CVE-2009-2768 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-476.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (32nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-476
Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
Published: 2009-08-14
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The load_flat_shared_library function in fs/binfmt_flat.c in the flat subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.31-rc6 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact by executing a shared flat binary, which triggers an access of an "uninitialized cred pointer."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-2768?: The load_flat_shared_library function in fs/binfmt_flat.c in the flat subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.31-rc6 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact by executing a shared flat binary, which triggers an access of an "uninitialized cred pointer."
How severe is CVE-2009-2768?: CVE-2009-2768 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2009-2768 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (32nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2009-2768?: CVE-2009-2768 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2009-2768?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2009-2768 published?: CVE-2009-2768 was published on 2009-08-14 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.31:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.31:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.31:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.31:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:2.6.31:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:*

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