CVE-2012-4530

Description

The load_script function in fs/binfmt_script.c in the Linux kernel before 3.7.2 does not properly handle recursion, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel stack memory via a crafted application.

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	3.2.35-1	—
Debian 13	linux	3.2.35-1	—
Debian 12	linux	3.2.35-1	—

Red Hat

Security tracker ↗

Release	Package	Fixed in	Advisory
RHEL 6	perf +15	2.6.32-279.22.1.el6	RHSA-2013:0223

Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)

Release	Package	Fixed in	Advisory
Red Hat MRG 2	kernel-rt +11	3.6.11-rt28.20.el6rt	RHSA-2013:0566

Public exploits

Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.

Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.

Exploit-DB 1

Linux Kernel (Ubuntu 11.10/12.04) - binfmt_script Stack Data Disclosure EDB-41767 · dos · Jan 14, 2014

Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.

Advisories 2

RHSA-2013:0566 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
RHSA-2013:0223 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026

The load_script function in fs/binfmt_script.c in the Linux kernel before 3.7.2 does not properly handle recursion, which allows local user…