CVE-2012-6536

2.1 LOW 0.4% exploit odds Fix listed

What it is

net/xfrm/xfrm_user.c in the Linux kernel before 3.6 does not verify that the actual Netlink message length is consistent with a certain header field, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel heap memory by leveraging the CAP_NET_ADMIN capability and providing a (1) new or (2) updated state.

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: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2013-03-15 20:55 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-16 23:48 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: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2013-03-15 20:55 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-16 23:48 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-200 · Information exposure
Record status: Modified

Affected

Linux Kernel ≤ 3.5.7
Linux Kernel 3.0
Linux Kernel 3.0.1
Linux Kernel 3.0.2
Linux Kernel 3.0.3
Linux Kernel 3.0.4
Linux Kernel 3.0.5
Linux Kernel 3.0.6

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 2.1

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: Low
Authentication: None
Confidentiality: Partial
Integrity: None
Availability: None

Raw vector

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

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-2012-6536.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2012-6536. 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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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record