Description
The ioperm system call in Linux kernel 2.4.20 and earlier does not properly restrict privileges, which allows local users to gain read or write access to certain I/O ports.
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
- RHSA-2003:147 vendor-advisory
- TLSA-2003-41 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2003:074 vendor-advisory
- DSA-336 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2003:066 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2003:172 vendor-advisory
- ESA-20030515-017 vendor-advisory
- DSA-311 vendor-advisory
- DSA-332 vendor-advisory
- DSA-312 vendor-advisory
- DSA-442 vendor-advisory
- 20030520 Linux 2.4 kernel ioperm vuln mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:278 vdb-entry signature