What is CVE-2012-4398?

CVE-2012-4398 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 4.9 out of 10, classified as a Improper Input Validation flaw (CWE-20). CVE-2012-4398 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2012-4398?

CVE-2012-4398 has a CVSS score of 4.9 out of 10, rated Medium severity. The vector string is AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2012-4398?

No patch is currently available for CVE-2012-4398. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.

Is CVE-2012-4398 actively exploited?

CVE-2012-4398 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

CVE-2012-4398

Medium

The __request_module function in kernel/kmod.c in the Linux kernel before 3.4 does not set a certain killable attribute, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a crafted application.

Package Linux Kernel

Published 2013-02-18

Last modified 2026-04-29

CVSS version 2.0

Patch available

Awaiting data

CVSS 2.0 score

4.9

out of 10

Medium

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

User Interaction

Scope

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

None

Availability

Vector string

AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C

Weakness type

CWE-20

CVE-2012-4398 is a Improper Input Validation vulnerability

What is Improper Input Validation?

The product receives input but does not validate it correctly, allowing attackers to craft inputs that cause unexpected behavior. Learn more on MITRE CWE

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2012-4398 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/2015-03/msg00010.html
Lists
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2015-03/msg00025.html
Lkml
http://lkml.indiana.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1202.0/03340.html
Red Hat
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0223.html
Red Hat
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-1348.html
Secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/55077
Openwall
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/09/02/3
Securityfocus
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/55361
Red Hat
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=853474
Kernel patch commit
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/linux-3.4.tar.bz2
Patch

Details

CVE ID CVE-2012-4398

Severity Medium

CVSS score 4.9 / 10

CVSS version 2.0

Published 2013-02-18

Modified 2026-04-29

KEV No

Patch Awaiting data

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-4398?

CVE-2012-4398 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 4.9 out of 10 , classified as an Improper Input Validation flaw (CWE-20) . CVE-2012-4398 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2012-4398?

CVE-2012-4398 has a CVSS score of 4.9 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 2.0). The vector string is AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C.
Is there a patch available for CVE-2012-4398?

No patch is currently available for CVE-2012-4398. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.
Is CVE-2012-4398 actively exploited?

No — CVE-2012-4398 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
What is Improper Input Validation (CWE-20)?

The product receives input but does not validate it correctly, allowing attackers to craft inputs that cause unexpected behavior. View CWE-20 on MITRE CWE →