CVE-2019-13272

What it is

In the Linux kernel before 5.1.17, ptrace_link in kernel/ptrace.c mishandles the recording of the credentials of a process that wants to create a ptrace relationship, which allows local users to obtain root access by leveraging certain scenarios with a parent-child process relationship, where a parent drops privileges and calls execve (potentially allowing control by an attacker). One contributing factor is an object lifetime issue (which can also cause a panic). Another contributing factor is incorrect marking of a ptrace relationship as privileged, which is exploitable through (for example) Polkit's pkexec helper with PTRACE_TRACEME. NOTE: SELinux deny_ptrace might be a usable workaround in some environments.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

In the wild

CISA lists this as exploited in real attacks. Treat as urgent.

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2019-07-04 00:00 UTC ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
2. 2019-07-17 13:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
3. 2019-08-29 03:15 UTC Fix referencedNVD first recorded a patch, advisory or mitigation link
4. 2021-12-10 Exploited in the wildAdded to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
5. 2022-06-10 Remediation deadlineCISA's due date for federal agencies to fix it
6. 2026-06-17 02:16 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: yes, CISA lists it. This puts it above everything that is not.
• Exploit odds: 52.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.8 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2019-07-17 13:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 02:16 UTC

Added to CISA KEV

2021-12-10

Exploit probability

52.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 3.16.71
• Linux Kernel < 4.2
• Linux Kernel < 4.4.185
• Linux Kernel < 4.9
• Linux Kernel < 4.9.185
• Linux Kernel < 4.14.133
• Linux Kernel < 4.19.58
• Linux Kernel < 5.1.17

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.8

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

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-2019-13272.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2019-13272. 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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