Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is an old Linux kernel information disclosure issue. On affected systems, a local user could obtain sensitive keystroke information through terminal device access. It matters most on shared Linux hosts, jump boxes, or systems where untrusted users can log in locally.
Executive priority
Treat this as a legacy platform risk rather than an internet-scale emergency. Prioritize remediation where old Linux kernels still support shared access, administration, hosting, or sensitive operational workflows.
Technical view
CVE-2011-4916 affects Linux Kernel versions through 3.1 and is classified as CWE-200. The reported condition allows local users with access to /dev/pts/ and /dev/tty* to obtain sensitive keystroke information. The provided sources do not include CVSS, a named patch, or detailed remediation steps.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to legacy Linux systems running kernel 3.1 or earlier, especially multi-user systems with local shell, console, pseudo-terminal, or shared administrative access.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The attack context is local; an attacker would need local user access or equivalent access to terminal devices.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited. The CVE identifies Linux Kernel through 3.1, local access, terminal device paths, and CWE-200. The supplied sources do not provide CVSS scoring, exploit status, or a specific patch reference.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory systems for Linux kernel 3.1 or earlier.
- Check Linux distribution vendor advisories for backported fixes or upgrade guidance.
- Prioritize upgrades for shared hosts and systems with local untrusted users.
- Limit local shell and terminal access to trusted users only.
- Review terminal device permissions against vendor-supported defaults.
Validation and detection
- Confirm kernel versions and vendor backport status.
- Identify systems allowing local shell, console, or pseudo-terminal access.
- Review /dev/pts/ and /dev/tty* access controls for unusual permissions.
- Check vendor security notes for CVE-2011-4916 coverage.
- Document any legacy exceptions and compensating access controls.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-200: Information exposure and cloud metadata lookup
Information exposure and SSRF weaknesses can make discovery, cloud metadata, and credential material review relevant. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2011-4916 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/28/3CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://lkml.org/lkml/2011/11/7/355CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.