Description
Integer overflow in the ip_setsockopt function in Linux kernel 2.4.22 through 2.4.25 and 2.6.1 through 2.6.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code via the MCAST_MSFILTER socket option.
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.
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | kernel +8 | 2.4.21-9.0.3.EL | RHSA-2004:183 |
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 2.6.3 - 'setsockopt' Local Denial of Service EDB-274 · dos · Apr 21, 2004 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2004:183 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- SSA:2004-119 vendor-advisory
- SuSE-SA:2004:010 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:939 vdb-entry signature
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11214 vdb-entry signature
- RHSA-2004:183 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2004:037 vendor-advisory
- linux-ipsetsockopt-integer-bo(15907) vdb-entry
- 10179 vdb-entry
- ESA-20040428-004 vendor-advisory
- http://www.isec.pl/vulnerabilities/isec-0015-msfilter.txt
- CLA-2004:852 vendor-advisory
- 20040420 Linux kernel setsockopt MCAST_MSFILTER integer overflow mailing-list