CVE-2013-2094

Confirmed PUBLISHED

The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9 uses an incorrect integer data type, which allows local...

Linux · Linux Kernel

Exploited in the wild PoC available

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Confidence

Confirmed

Exploitation Status

Exploited in the wild

Observed in Sensors

Attempts (30d)

—

Unique Attacker IPs

—

CISA KEV

In CISA KEV

CVSS / EPSS

8.4 High

At a Glance

The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9 uses an incorrect integer data type, which allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted perf_event_open system call.

nessus_scanner linux cisa

CVE Published: May 14, 2013
Exploitation Reported: Sep 15, 2022
CVSS: 8.4 High
EPSS: —

Low complexity No user interaction Unauthenticated

Affected Versions

Vendor	Product	Version	Status
n/a	n/a	n/a	Affected

CVE References

openSUSE-SU-2013:0847 lists.opensuse.org · Vendor Advisory http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-05/msg00018...
MDVSA-2013:176 mandriva.com · Vendor Advisory http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:176
USN-1826-1 ubuntu.com · Vendor Advisory http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1826-1
USN-1838-1 ubuntu.com · Vendor Advisory http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1838-1
USN-1828-1 ubuntu.com · Vendor Advisory http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1828-1

Show 24 more references

USN-1827-1 ubuntu.com · Vendor Advisory http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1827-1
USN-1836-1 ubuntu.com · Vendor Advisory http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1836-1
RHSA-2013:0830 rhn.redhat.com · Vendor Advisory http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-0830.html
SUSE-SU-2013:0819 lists.opensuse.org · Vendor Advisory http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-05/msg00008...
openSUSE-SU-2013:0925 lists.opensuse.org · Vendor Advisory http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-06/msg00005...
openSUSE-SU-2013:1042 lists.opensuse.org · Vendor Advisory http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-06/msg00017...
USN-1825-1 ubuntu.com · Vendor Advisory http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1825-1
openSUSE-SU-2013:0951 lists.opensuse.org · Vendor Advisory http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-06/msg00009...
33589 exploit-db.com · Exploit http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/33589
93361 osvdb.org · VDB Entry http://www.osvdb.org/93361
[linux-kernel] 20130413 Re: sw_perf_event_destroy() oops while fuzzing lkml.indiana.edu · Mailing List http://lkml.indiana.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1304.1/04302.html
[linux-kernel] 20130412 sw_perf_event_destroy() oops while fuzzing lkml.indiana.edu · Mailing List http://lkml.indiana.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1304.1/03652.html
[CentOS-announce] 20130517 CESA-2013:0830 Important CentOS 6 kernel Update lists.centos.org · Mailing List http://lists.centos.org/pipermail/centos-announce/2013-May/019733.html
[linux-kernel] 20130412 Re: sw_perf_event_destroy() oops while fuzzing lkml.indiana.edu · Mailing List http://lkml.indiana.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1304.1/03976.html
[CentOS-announce] 20130515 CentOS-6 CVE-2013-2094 Kernel Issue lists.centos.org · Mailing List http://lists.centos.org/pipermail/centos-announce/2013-May/019729.html
[oss-security] 20130514 Re: CVE Request: linux kernel perf out-of-bounds access openwall.com · Mailing List http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/05/14/6
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi bugzilla.redhat.com · CVE Record https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=962792
GitHub — torvalds/linux github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/8176cced706b5e5d158875841507...
kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.8.9 kernel.org · CVE Record http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.8.9
news.ycombinator.com/item news.ycombinator.com · CVE Record http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5703758
git.kernel.org git.kernel.org · CVE Record http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=...
packetstormsecurity.com/files/121616/semtex.c packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/121616/semtex.c
twitter.com/djrbliss/statuses/334301992648331267 twitter.com · CVE Record http://twitter.com/djrbliss/statuses/334301992648331267
reddit.com/r/netsec/comments/1eb9iw reddit.com · CVE Record http://www.reddit.com/r/netsec/comments/1eb9iw

Recommended Actions

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Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources

Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.

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Source	Added
CISA First	2022-09-15 00:00 UTC

CVSS Scores

CVSS v3.1 8.4 High

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS v2.0 7.2 High

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

Exploitation Status

Exploited in the wild

Recorded 2022-09-15 00:00:00 UTC · CISA

Proof of concept available

Recorded 2013-06-16 11:53:36 UTC · GitHub

Scanner Integrations

Scanner	Reference	Detected
Nessus	https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/215527	Jun 02, 2025

Potential Proof of Concepts

These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.

vnik5287/CVE-2013-2094

github · Created 2019-07-23 12:31:55 UTC · 1 stars

perf_swevent_init

Pashkela/CVE-2013-2094

github · Created 2013-06-16 11:53:36 UTC · 4 stars

CVE-2013-2094 Linux 2.6.32/2.6.37 - 3.8.10 PERF_EVENTS local root x86/x86_64

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Pro API Example

GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2013-2094

{
  "cve_id": "CVE-2013-2094",
  "title": "The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel be...",
  "affected_vendor": "Linux",
  "affected_product": "Linux Kernel",
  "affected_versions": [
    { "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
  ],
  "confidence": "Confirmed",
  "cvss_score": 8.4,
  "epss_score": null,
  "exploit_status": {
    "exploited_in_the_wild": true,
    "active_exploitation_observed": false
  },
  "sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
  "proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
  "scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}

The free JSON API returns basic KEV fields only. Confidence, telemetry, and artifact enrichment require Pro API access.

CVE-2013-2094

At a Glance

Affected Versions

CVE References

Recommended Actions

Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources

Virtual Patch

CVSS Scores

Exploitation Status

Scanner Integrations

Potential Proof of Concepts

Timeline

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