CVE-2006-5173

What it is

Linux kernel does not properly save or restore EFLAGS during a context switch, or reset the flags when creating new threads, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (process crash), as demonstrated using a process that sets the Alignment Check flag (EFLAGS 0x40000), which triggers a SIGBUS in other processes that have an unaligned access.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2006-10-17 22:07 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-16 22:30 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 2.1 LOW (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2006-10-17 22:07 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-16 22:30 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel ≤ 2.6.19
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 5.10
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 6.06
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 6.10

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 2.1

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

Partial

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2006-5173.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2006-5173. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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