CVE-2010-4251: linux linux_kernel Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2010-4251 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerability in linux linux_kernel. EPSS estimates a 3.89% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 90.2% of scored vulnerabilities.
Severe, CVSS 7.5 (NVD); no exploitation reported by the 5 checked sources; EPSS 4% (FIRST, 04-11-2026)
Source freshness unavailable
How is this decided?Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 3Timeline
- 26-05-2011PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 07-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
The socket implementation in net/core/sock.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.34 does not properly manage a backlog of received packets, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) by sending a large amount of network traffic, as demonstrated by netperf UDP tests.
CVSS metrics
2 scores · 1 source · 2 versionsEPSS trend
Probability
3.89%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
90%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
No change 0.00 pp
From 3.89% on 05-10-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVNot in the CISA KEV catalog.
ENISA CNWNot in the ENISA CNW catalog.
CIRCLNot in the CIRCL catalog.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Known conditions: network-reachable, no authentication, no user interaction (CVSS vector). Other conditions: not stated in public data.
Linux1 product
- linux_kernel< 2.6.34
Redhat1 product
- enterprise_linuxEOL4.0
Vmware1 product
- esx4.0 | 4.1
3 vendors · 3 products
References
8 links- www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/520102/100/0/threadedMailing ListX Refsource BUGTRAQThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- kerneltrap.org/mailarchive/linux-netdev/2010/3/3/6271093/threadMailing ListX Refsource MLISTBroken Link
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=657303X Refsource CONFIRMIssue TrackingPatchThird Party Advisory
- git.kernel.orgX Refsource CONFIRM