Description
The compat_get_timex function in kernel/compat.c in the Linux kernel before 4.16.9 allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel memory via adjtimex.
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 | 4.16.12-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 4.16.12-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 4.16.12-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux | 4.15.0-24.26 | USN-3695-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-aws | 4.15.0-1011.11 | USN-3695-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-azure | 4.15.0-1014.14 | USN-3695-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 4.15.0-1010.10 | USN-3695-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-kvm | 4.15.0-1012.12 | USN-3695-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-oem | 4.15.0-1009.12 | USN-3695-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-raspi2 | 4.15.0-1013.14 | USN-3695-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-gcp +1 | 4.15.0-1014.14~16.04.1 | USN-3695-2 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe | 4.15.0-24.26~16.04.1 | USN-3695-2 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-oem | 4.13.0-1031.35 | USN-3697-2 |
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 4.13 - 'compat_get_timex()' Leak Kernel Pointer EDB-46208 · dos · Jan 21, 2019
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- USN-3695-1 linux, linux-aws, linux-azure, linux-gcp, linux-kvm, linux-oem, linux-raspi2 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- USN-3695-2 linux-hwe, linux-azure vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- USN-3697-2 linux-oem vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
References
- USN-3695-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-3695-2 vendor-advisory
- https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=1574
- https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.16.9
- 104292 vdb-entry
- USN-3697-1 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/0a0b98734479aa5b3c671d5190e86273372cab95
- USN-3697-2 vendor-advisory
- 46208 exploit
- http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=0a0b98734479aa5b3c671d5190e86273372cab95