Description
The msr_open function in arch/x86/kernel/msr.c in the Linux kernel before 3.7.6 allows local users to bypass intended capability restrictions by executing a crafted application as root, as demonstrated by msr32.c.
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 | 3.2.39-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.2.39-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.2.39-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +15 | 2.6.32-358.2.1.el6 | RHSA-2013:0630 |
| RHEL 5 | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-348.3.1.el5 | RHSA-2013:0621 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +11 | 3.6.11-rt30.25.el6rt | RHSA-2013:0622 |
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 3.7.6 (RedHat x86/x64) - 'MSR' Driver Privilege Escalation EDB-27297 · local · Aug 2, 2013
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2013:0622 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2013:0630 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2013:0621 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- openSUSE-SU-2013:1187 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20130207 Re: CVE request -- Linux kernel: x86/msr: /dev/cpu/*/msr local privilege escalation mailing-list
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=c903f0456bc69176912dee6dd25c6a66ee1aed00
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.7.6
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=908693
- SUSE-SU-2013:0674 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/c903f0456bc69176912dee6dd25c6a66ee1aed00