How severe is CVE-2013-4394?

CVE-2013-4394 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.9, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2013-4394 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (26th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2013-4394?

CVE-2013-4394 primarily affects Systemd Project Systemd. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2013-4394?

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

When was CVE-2013-4394 published?

CVE-2013-4394 was published on 2013-10-28 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2013-4394

CVE-2013-4394 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Systemd Project Systemd with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.9. 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-276.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 5.9)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (26th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-276
Affected product: Systemd Project Systemd
Published: 2013-10-28
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The SetX11Keyboard function in systemd, when PolicyKit Local Authority (PKLA) is used to change the group permissions on the X Keyboard Extension (XKB) layouts description, allows local users in the group to modify the Xorg X11 Server configuration file and possibly gain privileges via vectors involving "special and control characters."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2013-4394?: The SetX11Keyboard function in systemd, when PolicyKit Local Authority (PKLA) is used to change the group permissions on the X Keyboard Extension (XKB) layouts description, allows local users in the group to modify the Xorg X11 Server configuration file and possibly gain privileges via vectors involving "special and control characters."
How severe is CVE-2013-4394?: CVE-2013-4394 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 5.9, rated medium severity.
Is CVE-2013-4394 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (26th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2013-4394?: CVE-2013-4394 primarily affects Systemd Project Systemd. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2013-4394?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2013-4394 published?: CVE-2013-4394 was published on 2013-10-28 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:systemd_project:systemd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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