CVE-2009-3238
MEDIUMEPSS 74th pctlDescription
The get_random_int function in drivers/char/random.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.30 produces insufficiently random numbers, which allows attackers to predict the return value, and possibly defeat protection mechanisms based on randomization, via vectors that leverage the function's tendency to "return the same value over and over again for long stretches of time."
How to fix
TridentStack Control can deploy fixes like this automatically across your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet. See how it works
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Exploit Intelligence
Elevated risk: more likely to be exploited than 74% of all known CVEs.
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-338 vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2008-0166 | High | 7.5 | 71% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2009-2367 | Critical | 9.8 | 23% | - | - |
| CVE-2024-29868 | Critical | 9.1 | 6.0% | - | - |
| CVE-2024-31497 | Medium | 5.9 | 5.8% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2021-43799 | High | 8.6 | 5.4% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2008-3280 | Medium | 5.9 | 4.0% | - | - |
Common questions
How do I fix CVE-2009-3238?
Upgrade linux kernel to 2.6.30 or later.
Is CVE-2009-3238 being actively exploited?
Not that we know of. CVE-2009-3238 is not in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Its EPSS score of 1.6% is the estimated probability that it will be exploited in the next 30 days. That is higher than 74% of all scored CVEs.
How severe is CVE-2009-3238?
CVE-2009-3238 has a CVSS v3 base score of 5.5, rated medium. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.
What does CVE-2009-3238 affect?
Published advisories record a fix for linux kernel (NVD). Only products with a sourced advisory are listed, so treat this as what we can cite rather than a complete inventory.
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This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-04-23.