Description
arch/x86/kernel/cpu/perf_event_intel.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9, when the Performance Events Subsystem is enabled, specifies an incorrect bitmask, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (general protection fault and system crash) by attempting to set a reserved bit.
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 | 3.9.4-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.9.4-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.9.4-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +15 | 2.6.32-358.18.1.el6 | RHSA-2013:1173 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat OpenStack 3 | perf +9 | 2.6.32-358.118.1.openstack.el6 | RHSA-2013:1195 |
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +11 | 3.6.11.5-rt37.55.el6rt | RHSA-2013:1264 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2013:1173 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2013:1264 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
- RHSA-2013:1195 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=971309
- MDVSA-2013:176 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/f1923820c447e986a9da0fc6bf60c1dccdf0408e
- RHSA-2013:1173 vendor-advisory
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.8.9
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=f1923820c447e986a9da0fc6bf60c1dccdf0408e
- [oss-security] 20130605 Re: CVE Request: More perf security fixes mailing-list