CVE-2012-2136: Buffer Overflow

Published Apr 25, 2012
·
Updated

Datalen paremeter of sockallocsendpskb() function is not validated before setting frags of allocated skb, which can lead to heap overflow.

On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 a user having access to TUN/TAP virtual device could use this flaw to crash the system or to potentially escalate their privileges. The resulting CVSS score is 6.2.

On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 a privileged guest user could use this flaw to crash the host or to potentially escalate their privileges on the host. The resulting CVSS score is 7.4.

Other sources

The sockallocsendpskb function in net/core/sock.c in the Linux kernel before 3.4.5 does not properly validate a certain length value, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and system crash) or possibly gain privileges by leveraging access to a TUN/TAP device.

Launchpad

Affected Software

4 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel<3.0.37
Linux Linux kernel>=3.1<3.2.23
Linux Linux kernel>=3.3<3.4.5
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.27-1

Event History

Apr 25, 2012
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·05:56 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Aug 9, 2012
CVE Published
via MITRE·10:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·10:00 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·10:29 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·09:58 PM
Description
Sep 16, 2024
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·12:49 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
May 14, 2025
Data Sourced
via Debian·12:13 AM
DescriptionAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2012-2136?

CVE-2012-2136 is considered a high severity vulnerability due to the potential for heap overflow and system crash.

2

How do I fix CVE-2012-2136?

To mitigate CVE-2012-2136, update to a patched version of the Linux kernel, specifically versions 5.10.223-1, 5.10.226-1, 6.1.119-1, 6.1.123-1, 6.12.10-1, or 6.12.11-1.

3

Who is affected by CVE-2012-2136?

CVE-2012-2136 primarily affects users of the TUN/TAP virtual device on affected versions of the Linux kernel.

4

Can CVE-2012-2136 lead to privilege escalation?

Yes, CVE-2012-2136 can potentially allow an attacker to escalate their privileges on the system.

5

What are the affected versions for CVE-2012-2136?

CVE-2012-2136 affects Linux kernel versions up to 3.0.37, from 3.1 to 3.2.23, and between 3.3 to 3.4.5.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203