Description
The route cache implementation in Linux 2.4, and the Netfilter IP conntrack module, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via packets with forged source addresses that cause a large number of hash table collisions.
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 ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-image-2.2.20-i386 | 2.2.20-5woody3 | DSA-336 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.17-s390 | 2.4.17-2.woody.3 | DSA-442 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.18-1-i386 | 2.4.18-8 | DSA-311 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.18-i386bf | 2.4.18-5woody1. | DSA-311 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-patch-2.4.17-mips | 2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody2 | DSA-332 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-patch-2.4.17-s390 | 0.0.20020816-0.woody.2 | DSA-442 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-patch-2.4.18-powerpc | 2.4.18-1woody1 | DSA-312 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-source-2.2.20 | 2.2.20-5woody2 | DSA-336 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-source-2.4.17 | 2.4.17-1woody1 | DSA-332 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-source-2.4.18 | 2.4.18-9 | DSA-311 |
Advisories 5
- DSA-442 linux-kernel-2.4.17-s390 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-311 linux-kernel-2.4.18 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-336 linux-kernel-2.2.20 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-332 linux-kernel-2.4.17 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-312 kernel-patch-2.4.18-powerpc - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 7601 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2003:147 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2003:074 vendor-advisory
- DSA-336 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:261 vdb-entry signature
- data-algorithmic-complexity-dos(15382) vdb-entry
- MDKSA-2003:066 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2003:172 vendor-advisory
- ESA-20030515-017 vendor-advisory
- DSA-311 vendor-advisory
- DSA-332 vendor-advisory
- 8786 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2003:145 vendor-advisory
- http://www.enyo.de/fw/security/notes/linux-dst-cache-dos.html
- DSA-312 vendor-advisory
- 20030517 Algorithmic Complexity Attacks and the Linux Networking Code mailing-list
- DSA-442 vendor-advisory
- http://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=104956079213417
- 20030618 [slackware-security] 2.4.21 kernels available (SSA:2003-168-01) mailing-list