Description
Linux kernel 2.2.x allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) by using the mmap() function with a PROT_READ parameter to access non-readable memory pages through the /proc/pid/mem interface.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Linux Kernel 2.2 - 'mmap()' Local Denial of Service EDB-22105 · dos · Dec 17, 2002 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-336 linux-kernel-2.2.20 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- DSA-336 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2003:088 vendor-advisory
- ESA-20030318-009 vendor-advisory
- 6420 vdb-entry
- MDKSA-2003:039 vendor-advisory
- linux-protread-mmap-dos(10884) vdb-entry
- 2002-0083 vendor-advisory