CVE-2013-2094: Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Q: How do I fix CVE-2013-2094?

linux kernel: upgrade to 3.0.75, 3.2.45, 3.4.42, 3.8.9. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2013-2094 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2013-2094 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

Q: What does CVE-2013-2094 affect?

CVE-2013-2094 affects linux kernel. Severity is high (CVSS 8.4). 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.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2013-2094?

Priority 89/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Patch now

HIGH 8.4EXPLOITEDWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2013-2094 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.4) affecting linux kernel, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.4 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	47.7% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2022-10-06
Weakness	CWE-189
Published	2013-05-14
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: linux

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2013-05-14 20:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2022-09-15Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2022-10-06Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
2026-06-16 23:52 UTCUpdated Record last modified

linux linux kernel UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.0.75 · >= 3.1 and < 3.2.45 · >= 3.3 and < 3.4.42 · >= 3.5 and < 3.8.9

Fixed in: 3.0.75, 3.2.45, 3.4.42, 3.8.9

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · perl-Net-IDN-Encode · FIXED · 2.600-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-84eff0ea64 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-84eff0ea64

Fedora ELN · libXISF · FIXED · 0.2.15-2.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-b9e2d1bda0 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-b9e2d1bda0

Debian 12 · linux · FIXED · 3.8.11-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade linux dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' linux)" ge "3.8.11-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · linux · FIXED · 3.8.11-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade linux dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' linux)" ge "3.8.11-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 6 · kernel · FIXED · kernel-2.6.32-358.6.2.el6

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2013:0830 rpm -q kernel

RHEL 6.1 EUS - Server Only · kernel · FIXED · kernel-2.6.32-131.39.1.el6

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2013:0841 rpm -q kernel

RHEL 6.2 EUS - Server and Compute Node Only · kernel · FIXED · kernel-2.6.32-220.34.2.el6

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2013:0840 rpm -q kernel

RHEL 6.3 EUS - Server and Compute Node Only · kernel · FIXED · kernel-2.6.32-279.25.2.el6

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2013:0832 rpm -q kernel

RHEL 5 · kernel · NOT AFFECTED

Amazon Linux 1 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS-2013-190 · source

sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS-2013-190

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

GitHub PoC: realtalk/cve-2013-2094 (91 stars)
GitHub PoC: hiikezoe/libperf_event_exploit (17 stars)
GitHub PoC: Pashkela/CVE-2013-2094 (4 stars)
Exploit-DB: Linux Kernel 2.6.32 < 3.x (CentOS 5/6) - 'PERF_EVENTS' Local Privilege Escalation (1)
Exploit-DB: Linux Kernel 3.2.0-23/3.5.0-23 (Ubuntu 12.04/12.04.1/12.04.2 x64) - 'perf_swevent_init' Local Privilege Escalation (3)
Exploit-DB: Linux Kernel < 3.8.9 (x86-64) - 'perf_swevent_init' Local Privilege Escalation (2)

Advisories and coverage

Research and news

Vulners Bulletins: cve-2013-2094 2026-11-01

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2013-2094?

linux kernel: upgrade to 3.0.75, 3.2.45, 3.4.42, 3.8.9. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2013-2094 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2013-2094 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2013-2094 affect?

CVE-2013-2094 affects linux kernel. Severity is high (CVSS 8.4). 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.

How urgent is CVE-2013-2094?

Priority 89/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Linux kernel vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-42756 MEDIUM 4.4 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in the Netfilter subsystem of the Linux kernel
CVE-2026-63912 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: esp: restore combined single-frag l
CVE-2026-63913 HIGH 8.2 UPGRADE In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: conntrack: tcp: do not force C
CVE-2026-63914 HIGH 7.3 UPGRADE In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: route MIGRATE notifications to call
CVE-2026-63915 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfc: hci: fix out-of-bounds read in HCP h

References

← Back to latest CVEs