CVE-2011-4621: linux linux_kernel Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2011-4621 is a medium (CVSS 5.5) Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition vulnerability in linux linux_kernel. EPSS estimates a 0.44% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 38.3% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.
Not severe (CVSS 5.5, local access); no exploitation reported by the 5 checked sources
Source freshness unavailable
How is this decided?Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 1Timeline
- 17-05-2012PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 07-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
The Linux kernel before 2.6.37 does not properly implement a certain clock-update optimization, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system hang) via an application that executes code in a loop.
CVSS metrics
2 scores · 1 source · 2 versionsEPSS trend
Probability
0.44%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
38%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
No change 0.00 pp
From 0.44% on 04-10-2026
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
1 foundExploit Reference (openwall.com)
Maturity: unknown
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Known conditions: local access, low-privilege account, no user interaction (CVSS vector). Other conditions: not stated in public data.
Linux1 product
- linux_kernel< 2.6.37
1 vendor · 1 product
References
5 links- github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/f26f9aff6aaf67e9a430d16c266f91b13a5bff64X Refsource CONFIRMPatchThird Party Advisory
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/21/6Mailing ListX Refsource MLISTExploitPatchThird Party Advisory
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=769711X Refsource CONFIRMIssue TrackingPatchThird Party Advisory
- git.kernel.orgX Refsource CONFIRM