---
id: "CVE-2013-2094"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2013-2094"]
title: "The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9 uses an incorrect integer\u2026"
severity: "high"
cvss: 8.4
epss: 0.47709
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "linux kernel", "fixed": ["3.0.75"], "affected": "< 3.0.75", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "linux kernel", "fixed": ["3.2.45"], "affected": ">= 3.1, < 3.2.45", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "linux kernel", "fixed": ["3.4.42"], "affected": ">= 3.3, < 3.4.42", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "linux kernel", "fixed": ["3.8.9"], "affected": ">= 3.5, < 3.8.9", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "Linux Kernel", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["exploited", "infrastructure", "kubernetes", "linux", "self-hosted"]
not_affected_if: ["patched-kernel"]
published_at: "2013-05-14T20:55:01+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-24T00:09:51+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2013-2094", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2013-2094", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:13:45+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-2094", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00"}]
---

# The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9 uses an incorrect integer…

The Linux kernel does not check all 64 bits of the attr.config value passed from user space to perf events, causing an out-of-bounds array access in sw_perf_event_destroy(). A local user can exploit this to gain root privileges.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:linux kernel affected < 3.0.75 fixed 3.0.75
- vendor:linux kernel affected >= 3.1, < 3.2.45 fixed 3.2.45
- vendor:linux kernel affected >= 3.3, < 3.4.42 fixed 3.4.42
- vendor:linux kernel affected >= 3.5, < 3.8.9 fixed 3.8.9
- vendor:Linux Kernel affected ? fixed ?

## How to check

uname -r to see the running kernel version and compare it against the fixed kernel release for CVE-2013-2094 in your distribution's advisory.

## Fix

Install the kernel update from your Linux distribution's vendor and reboot; CISA says to apply updates per vendor instructions.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:52+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2013-2094
- 2026-10-23T19:13:45+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2013-2094
- 2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-2094

## From the sources

Linux kernel fails to check all 64 bits of attr.config passed by user space, resulting to out-of-bounds access of the perf_swevent_enabled array in sw_perf_event_destroy(). Explotation allows for privilege escalation.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_