CVE-2013-1959

Linux Kernel < 3.8.9 - Privilege Escalation via uid_map and gid_map File Handling

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2013-1959. PoCs published by Andrew Lutomirski.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a user namespace vulnerability (CVE-2013-1959) to gain root privileges by manipulating `/proc/[pid]/uid_map` and executing a command with elevated permissions. It uses `unshare(CLONE_NEWUSER)` and futex synchronization to achieve privilege escalation.

Description

kernel/user_namespace.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9 does not have appropriate capability requirements for the uid_map and gid_map files, which allows local users to gain privileges by opening a file within an unprivileged process and then modifying the file within a privileged process.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by Andrew Lutomirski · clocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/25450

This exploit leverages a user namespace vulnerability (CVE-2013-1959) to gain root privileges by manipulating `/proc/[pid]/uid_map` and executing a command with elevated permissions. It uses `unshare(CLONE_NEWUSER)` and futex synchronization to achieve privilege escalation.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Linux kernel versions before 3.8.9 (user namespace handling)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Linux kernel with vulnerable user namespace implementation · Ability to execute code on the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Scores

EPSS 0.0126
EPSS Percentile 65.5%

Details

CWE
CWE-264
Status published
Products (44)
linux/linux_kernel 3.0 rc1 (7 CPE variants)
linux/linux_kernel 3.0.1
linux/linux_kernel 3.0.2
linux/linux_kernel 3.0.3
linux/linux_kernel 3.0.4
linux/linux_kernel 3.0.5
linux/linux_kernel 3.0.6
linux/linux_kernel 3.0.7
linux/linux_kernel 3.0.8
linux/linux_kernel 3.0.9
... and 34 more
Published May 03, 2013
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026