Findings

Vulnerability · CVE-2009-2908

Linux Kernel NULL Pointer Dereference

Published Feb 9, 2026 · corrected/updated Feb 9, 2026 · Linux Kernel · evidence confidence very high

The d_delete function in fs/ecryptfs/inode.c in eCryptfs in the Linux kernel 2.6.31 allows local users to cause a denial of service (kernel OOPS) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors that cause a "negative dentry" and trigger a NULL pointer dereference, as demonstrated via a Mutt temporary directory in an eCryptfs mount.

Grounded briefings

Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.

Executive

CVE-2009-2908 is a unknown public vulnerability record for Linux Kernel. CISA lists it as known exploited. Published remediation guidance: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.

System administrator

Identify whether Linux Kernel is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: Linux Kernel. Published remediation guidance: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.

Security analyst

Signals on file: no CVSS/EPSS yet. CISA lists it as known exploited. Sources contributing to this record: cve_org, vulncheck_kev. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.

Exploitation and remediation

  • Exploitation evidence

    Confirmed in CISA KEV since Feb 9, 2026. Listed in CISA KEV and VulnCheck KEV.

  • Patch and remediation

    Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.

  • Safe detection guidance

    Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

No public source repository is identified for this product.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Feb 9, 2026 · VulnCheck KEV

    Detected

    The d_delete function in fs/ecryptfs/inode.c in eCryptfs in the Linux kernel 2.6.31 allows local users to cause a denial of service (kernel OOPS) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors that cause a "negative dentry" and trigger a NULL pointer dereference, as demonstrated via a Mutt temporary directory in an eCryptfs mount.

  2. Feb 9, 2026 · CISA KEV

    Known exploited

    Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.

Affected

  • vendor Linux Kernelversion unspecified

Sources

  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2009-2908

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • VulnCheck KEVConfirmed exploitationCVE-2009-2908

    The d_delete function in fs/ecryptfs/inode.c in eCryptfs in the Linux kernel 2.6.31 allows local users to cause a denial of service (kernel OOPS) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors that cause a "negative dentry" and trigger a NULL pointer dereference, as

    vulncheck.com

References