Description
The ELF loader in Linux kernel 2.4 before 2.4.25 allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted ELF file with an interpreter with an invalid arch (architecture), which triggers a BUG() when an invalid VMA is unmapped.
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-sparc-2.4 | 26woody1 | DSA-1070-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-patch-2.4.19-mips | 2.4.19-0.020911.1.woody5 | DSA-1070-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-source-2.4.16 | 2.4.16-1woody2 | DSA-1067-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-source-2.4.17 | 2.4.17-1woody4 | DSA-1082-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-source-2.4.18 | 2.4.18-14.4 | DSA-1069-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | kernel-source-2.4.19 | 2.4.19-4.woody3 | DSA-1070-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | kernel +8 | 2.4.21-20.0.1.EL | RHSA-2004:549 |
Advisories 5
- RHSA-2004:549 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- DSA-1082-1 kernel-source-2.4.17 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1067-1 kernel-source-2.4.16 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1069-1 kernel-source-2.4.18 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1070-1 kernel-source-2.4.19 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 20163 third-party-advisory
- http://kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.4/ChangeLog-2.4.25
- DSA-1082 vendor-advisory
- http://kernel.debian.net/debian/pool/main/kernel-source-2.4.17/kernel-source-2.4.17_2.4.17-1woody4_ia64.changes
- linux-kernel-elfloader-dos(43124) vdb-entry
- DSA-1070 vendor-advisory
- 20162 third-party-advisory
- 18174 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2004:549 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1067 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1069 vendor-advisory
- 20202 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2004:504 vendor-advisory
- http://linux.bkbits.net:8080/linux-2.4/cset%404021346f79nBb-4X_usRikR3Iyb4Vg
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10123 vdb-entry signature
- 20338 third-party-advisory