What is CVE-2010-2960?

CVE-2010-2960 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-2010-2960 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2010-2960?

CVE-2010-2960 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-2010-2960?

No patch is currently available for CVE-2010-2960. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.

Is CVE-2010-2960 actively exploited?

CVE-2010-2960 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-2010-2960

High

The keyctl_session_to_parent function in security/keys/keyctl.c in the Linux kernel 2.6.35.4 and earlier expects that a certain parent session keyring exists, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a KEYCTL_SESSION_TO_PARENT argument to the keyctl function.

Package Linux Kernel

Published 2010-09-08

Last modified 2026-04-29

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-2010-2960 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-2010-2960 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Lists
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2010-10/msg00003.html

Mailing List Third Party Advisory
Lists
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2011-02/msg00000.html

Mailing List Third Party Advisory
Secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/41263

Broken Link
Securitytracker
http://securitytracker.com/id?1024384

Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
Twitter
http://twitter.com/taviso/statuses/22777866582

Third Party Advisory
Openwall
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2010/09/02/1

Mailing List Third Party Advisory
Securityfocus
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/42932

Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
Ubuntu Security
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1000-1

Third Party Advisory
Vupen
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0298

Broken Link
Exchange
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/61557

Third Party Advisory VDB Entry
Kernel patch commit
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=627440
Patch

Details

CVE ID CVE-2010-2960

Severity High

CVSS score 7.8 / 10

CVSS version 3.1

Published 2010-09-08

Modified 2026-04-29

KEV No

Patch Awaiting data

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2010-2960?

CVE-2010-2960 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-2010-2960 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2010-2960?

CVE-2010-2960 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-2010-2960?

No patch is currently available for CVE-2010-2960. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.
Is CVE-2010-2960 actively exploited?

No — CVE-2010-2960 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 →