CVE-2011-2495: fs/proc/base.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39.4 does not properly restrict access to /proc/#####/io file...

Security readout for executives and security teams

This is a legacy Linux kernel information leak. On affected systems, a local user could read another process's I/O activity statistics and infer sensitive details, including a demonstrated password-length signal. It is not described as remote code execution or privilege escalation in the supplied sources. Exposure is most likely on legacy Linux systems running kernels before 2.6.39.4, or vendor kernels that did not backport the referenced access-control fix. Practical risk requires local user access to the affected host. Treat this as a legacy hygiene and confidentiality issue. Prioritize remediation on shared Linux hosts, bastions, multi-user servers, and systems handling sensitive authentication workflows. It is lower urgency than remotely exploitable kernel flaws unless untrusted local access exists. Mitigation focus: Upgrade to Linux kernel 2.6.39.4 or a vendor build containing the fix.; Apply relevant vendor security advisories, including RHSA-2011:1212 where applicable.; Check vendor guidance for backported fixes on supported enterprise kernels..

Prepared

Jun 24, 2026, 12:34 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.