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HighPublic exploit

Local privilege escalation / DoS via NULL pointer dereference in Linux kernel udp_sendmsg (MSG_MORE)

IdentifiersCVE-2009-2698CWE-476· NULL Pointer Dereference

CVE-2009-2698 is a flaw in the Linux kernel UDP implementation affecting udp_sendmsg in net/ipv4/udp.c and net/ipv6/udp.c in kernels prior to 2.6.19. A local user can trigger a NULL pointer dereference via vectors involving use of the MSG_MORE flag on a UDP socket, leading to a kernel crash (denial of service) and, in some circumstances, privilege gain.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Local attackers can cause a denial of service by crashing the system (NULL pointer dereference). The vulnerability is also described as potentially enabling local privilege escalation (gain privileges) on affected kernels.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Reduce exposure by limiting untrusted local code execution on affected systems (e.g., restrict shell access for untrusted users/tenants) until patched. Where applicable, apply vendor guidance for products embedding the Linux kernel (e.g., VMware ESX/vMA/vCenter components) and follow best practices to limit administrative access to management/service networks.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade the Linux kernel to a version that includes the fix (Linux kernel 2.6.19 or later), or apply the relevant vendor backported kernel security update for the affected distribution/product (including third-party products shipping vulnerable kernels).
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No valid public exploits. Mallory filtered out 3 candidates as fakes, detection scripts, or README-only repos.

VALID 0 / 3 TOTALView more in app

All candidate exploits were filtered out by Mallory's validation.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
BroadcomEsxioperating_system
BroadcomVcenter Serverapplication
CanonicalUbuntu Linuxapplication
Fedora ProjectFedoraoperating_system
LinuxLinux Kerneloperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Desktopoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Eusoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Serveroperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Server Ausoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Workstationoperating_system
SuseLinux Enterprise Desktopoperating_system
SuseLinux Enterprise Serveroperating_system

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.
Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware1

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity2

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.