How severe is CVE-2015-8963?

CVE-2015-8963 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2015-8963 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2015-8963?

CVE-2015-8963 affects Linux Linux Kernel. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2015-8963?

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-2015-8963 published?

CVE-2015-8963 was published on 2016-11-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2015-8963

CVE-2015-8963 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. 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-362.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
CVSS v2: 7.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (70th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-362
Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
Published: 2016-11-16
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Race condition in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 4.4 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (use-after-free) by leveraging incorrect handling of an swevent data structure during a CPU unplug operation.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2015-8963?: Race condition in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 4.4 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (use-after-free) by leveraging incorrect handling of an swevent data structure during a CPU unplug operation.
How severe is CVE-2015-8963?: CVE-2015-8963 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2015-8963 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2015-8963?: CVE-2015-8963 affects Linux Linux Kernel. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2015-8963?: 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-2015-8963 published?: CVE-2015-8963 was published on 2016-11-16 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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