What is CVE-2009-2768?

CVE-2009-2768 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476). CVE-2009-2768 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2009-2768?

CVE-2009-2768 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity. The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2009-2768?

No patch is currently available for CVE-2009-2768. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.

Is CVE-2009-2768 actively exploited?

CVE-2009-2768 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. See MITRE CWE for full details: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/476.html

CVE-2009-2768

High

The load_flat_shared_library function in fs/binfmt_flat.c in the flat subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.31-rc6 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact by executing a shared flat binary, which triggers an access of an "uninitialized cred pointer."

Package Linux Kernel

Published 2009-08-14

Last modified 2026-04-23

CVSS version 3.1

Patch available

Awaiting data

CVSS 3.1 score

7.8

out of 10

High

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Vector string

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2009-2768 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability

What is NULL Pointer Dereference?

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2009-2768 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/36278

Broken Link
Thread
http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.linux.hardware.blackfin.kernel.devel/1905

Broken Link
Kernel.org
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.30.5

Broken Link
Kernel.org
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/testing/ChangeLog-2.6.31-rc6

Broken Link
Mandriva
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2011:051

Broken Link
Securityfocus
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36037

Broken Link Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
Exchange
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/52909

Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
Kernel patch commit
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=3440625d78711bee41a84cf29c3d8c579b522666
Patch
Kernel patch commit
http://lkml.org/lkml/2009/6/22/91
Patch
Kernel patch commit
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/08/13/1
Patch

Details

CVE ID CVE-2009-2768

Severity High

CVSS score 7.8 / 10

CVSS version 3.1

Published 2009-08-14

Modified 2026-04-23

KEV No

Patch Awaiting data

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-2768?

CVE-2009-2768 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . CVE-2009-2768 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2009-2768?

CVE-2009-2768 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Is there a patch available for CVE-2009-2768?

No patch is currently available for CVE-2009-2768. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.
Is CVE-2009-2768 actively exploited?

No — CVE-2009-2768 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →