CVE-2009-4067Public exploit

Kernel code execution via oversized USB descriptors

Published Feb 11, 2020 · Updated Aug 7, 2024

Buffer overflow in the Linux kernel before 2.6.27 allows physically proximate attackers to gain root access via a crafted USB device. The auerswald_probe function reserves nearly the entire fixed-size device-description buffer for attacker-controlled USB strings, then appends serial and subscriber prefixes without leaving space for them. The Auerswald driver must be present and a crafted device must be physically inserted; successful exploitation runs code with kernel privileges, while failed attempts can crash the kernel.

CVSS severity6.8
Medium
EPSS probability2.06%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Buffer overflow in the Linux kernel before 2.6.27 allows physically proximate attackers to gain root access via a crafted USB device. The auerswald_probe function reserves nearly the entire fixed-size device-description buffer for attacker-controlled USB strings, then appends serial and subscriber prefixes without leaving space for them. The Auerswald driver must be present and a crafted device must be physically inserted; successful exploitation runs code with kernel privileges, while failed attempts can crash the kernel.

The record

CVE
CVE-2009-4067
Published
Feb 11, 2020
Updated
Aug 7, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-120, T1200
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 11, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 7, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1200Hardware Additions

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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