Description
Integer signedness error in the decode_fh function of nfs3xdr.c in Linux kernel before 2.4.21 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (kernel panic) via a negative size value within XDR data of an NFSv3 procedure call.
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 2.4.20 - 'decode_fh' Denial of Service EDB-68 · dos · Jul 29, 2003 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-358-1 linux-kernel-2.4.18 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- RHSA-2003:198 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2003:239 vendor-advisory
- DSA-358 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:386 vdb-entry signature
- 20030729 Remote Linux Kernel < 2.4.21 DoS in XDR routine. mailing-list