Description
/proc/tty/driver/serial in Linux 2.4.x reveals the exact number of characters used in serial links, which could allow local users to obtain potentially sensitive information such as the length of passwords.
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-2.4.17-ia64 | kernel-image-2.4.17-ia64 | DSA-423 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.18-1-alpha | 2.4.18-8 | DSA-358-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.18-1-i386 | 2.4.18-9 | DSA-358-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-image-2.4.18-i386bf | 2.4.18-5woody2 | DSA-358-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-source-2.4.18 | 2.4.18-11 | DSA-358-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | kernel +8 | 2.4.21-15.EL | RHSA-2004:188 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2004:188 Red Hat Security Advisory: Updated kernel packages available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 Update 2 Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-423 linux-kernel-2.4.17-ia64 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-358-1 linux-kernel-2.4.18 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- RHSA-2003:238 vendor-advisory
- DSA-423 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:304 vdb-entry signature
- http://rsbac.dyndns.org/pipermail/rsbac/2002-May/000162.html
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:997 vdb-entry signature
- RHSA-2004:188 vendor-advisory
- DSA-358 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9330 vdb-entry signature