Description
The Netlink implementation in the Linux kernel before 3.2.30 does not properly handle messages that lack SCM_CREDENTIALS data, which might allow local users to spoof Netlink communication via a crafted message, as demonstrated by a message to (1) Avahi or (2) NetworkManager.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | linux | 3.2.29-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.2.29-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.2.29-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +11 | 3.2.33-rt50.66.el6rt | RHSA-2012:1491 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | kernel-source | 4.8.13-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10128-1 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2012:1491 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jul 20, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10128-1 kernel-debug-4.8.13-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20120822 CVE-2012-3520 kernel: af_netlink: invalid handling of SCM_CREDENTIALS passing mailing-list
- 55152 vdb-entry
- openSUSE-SU-2012:1330 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/e0e3cea46d31d23dc40df0a49a7a2c04fe8edfea
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=e0e3cea46d31d23dc40df0a49a7a2c04fe8edfea
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinjan2016-2867209.html
- USN-1599-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-1610-1 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2013:0261 vendor-advisory
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.2.30
- 50848 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=850449