--- title: "CVE-2010-4655\n | Ubuntu" description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things. url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2010-4655?format=md keywords: index, follow --- # CVE-2010-4655 Publication date 25 January 2011 Last updated 4 July 2026 --- Ubuntu priority **Low** [Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority ) ## Cvss 3 Severity Score **5.5 · Medium** [Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2010-4655?format=md#impact-score) Toggle side navigation ## Description net/core/ethtool.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.36 does not initialize certain data structures, which allows local users to obtain potentially sensitive information from kernel heap memory by leveraging the CAP\_NET\_ADMIN capability for an ethtool ioctl call. ### From the Ubuntu Security Team Kees Cook discovered that some ethtool functions did not correctly clear heap memory. A local attacker with CAP\_NET\_ADMIN privileges could exploit this to read portions of kernel heap memory, leading to a loss of privacy. ## Status Show unmaintained releases | Package | Ubuntu Release | Status | | --- | --- | --- | | linux | 11.04 natty | Not affected | | 10.10 maverick | Fixed 2.6.35-25.43 | | 10.04 LTS lucid | Fixed 2.6.32-27.49 | | 9.10 karmic | Fixed 2.6.31-22.70 | | 8.04 LTS hardy | Fixed 2.6.24-29.90 | | 6.06 LTS dapper | Not in release | | linux-ec2 | 11.04 natty | Not in release | | 10.10 maverick | Ignored end of life | | 10.04 LTS lucid | Fixed 2.6.32-311.22 | | 9.10 karmic | Fixed 2.6.31-307.23 | | 8.04 LTS hardy | Not in release | | 6.06 LTS dapper | Not in release | | linux-fsl-imx51 | 11.04 natty | Not in release | | 10.10 maverick | Not in release | | 10.04 LTS lucid | Fixed 2.6.31-609.26 | | 9.10 karmic | Ignored end of life | | 8.04 LTS hardy | Not in release | | 6.06 LTS dapper | Not in release | | linux-lts-backport-maverick | 11.04 natty | Not in release | | 10.10 maverick | Not in release | | 10.04 LTS lucid | Fixed 2.6.35-25.44~lucid1 | | 9.10 karmic | Not in release | | 8.04 LTS hardy | Not in release | | 6.06 LTS dapper | Not in release | | linux-lts-backport-natty | 11.04 natty | Not in release | | 10.10 maverick | Not in release | | 10.04 LTS lucid | Not affected | | 8.04 LTS hardy | Not in release | | linux-mvl-dove | 11.04 natty | Not in release | | 10.10 maverick | Fixed 2.6.32-414.30 | | 10.04 LTS lucid | Fixed 2.6.32-213.29 | | 9.10 karmic | Ignored end of life | | 8.04 LTS hardy | Not in release | | 6.06 LTS dapper | Not in release | | linux-source-2.6.15 | 11.04 natty | Not in release | | 10.10 maverick | Not in release | | 10.04 LTS lucid | Not in release | | 9.10 karmic | Not in release | | 8.04 LTS hardy | Not in release | | 6.06 LTS dapper | Ignored | | linux-ti-omap4 | 11.04 natty | Not affected | | 10.10 maverick | Fixed 2.6.35-903.23 | | 10.04 LTS lucid | Not in release | | 9.10 karmic | Not in release | | 8.04 LTS hardy | Not in release | | 6.06 LTS dapper | Not in release | --- * [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security) * [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses) * [Patch details](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2010-4655?format=md#patch-details) ### Patch details For informational purposes only. We recommend not to cherry-pick updates. [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security) | Package | Patch details | | --- | --- | | linux | * Upstream: * Introduced by [a77f5db](https://git.kernel.org/linus/a77f5db361ed9953b5b749353ea2c7fed2bf8d93), fixed by [b7c7d01](https://git.kernel.org/linus/b7c7d01aaed1f71d9afe815a569f0a81465a1744) | ## Severity score breakdown CVSS version: CVSS v3.0 **Base score** 5.5 · Medium * Base metrics | Parameter | Value | | --- | --- | | Attack vector | Local | | Attack complexity | Low | | Privileges required | Low | | User interaction | None | | Scope | Unchanged | | Confidentiality impact | High | | Integrity impact | None | | Availability impact | None | * Scores | Parameter | Value | | --- | --- | | Base score | 5.5 · Medium | | Exploitability score | - | | Impact score | - | **Vector:** CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N ## References * [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2010-4655) * [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2010-4655) * [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2010-4655) * [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2010-4655) ### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) + [USN-1164-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-1164-1) + Linux kernel vulnerabilities (i.MX51) + 6 July 2011 + [USN-1202-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-1202-1) + Linux kernel (OMAP4) vulnerabilities + 13 September 2011 + [USN-1083-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-1083-1) + Linux kernel vulnerabilities + 3 March 2011 + [USN-1041-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-1041-1) + Linux kernel vulnerabilities + 10 January 2011 + [USN-1146-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-1146-1) + Linux kernel vulnerabilities + 9 June 2011 + [USN-1093-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-1093-1) + Linux Kernel vulnerabilities (Marvell Dove) + 25 March 2011 ### Other references *