The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9 uses an incorrect integer data type, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted perf_event_open system call.
The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9 uses an incorrect integer data type, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted perf_event_open system call.
Why this VPI (explainable, experimental)
VPI breakdown
| Impact | 84.00 |
| Exploitation signal(KEV listed) | ×1.50 |
| VPI | 100.00 |
VPI formula vpi-v1
Required Action
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
| Source | CVSS Version | Base Score | Severity | Vector String | Assessment Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVDNIST | 3.1 | 8.4 | HIGH | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H | 04/20/2026 |
| NVDNIST | 2.0 | 7.2 |
| AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C |
| 04/20/2026 |