Description
Unknown vulnerability in Linux kernel 2.x may allow local users to modify the group ID of files, such as NFS exported files in kernel 2.4.
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 | 2.4.21-15.0.3.EL | RHSA-2004:360 |
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 < 2.6.7-rc3 (Slackware 9.1 / Debian 3.0) - 'sys_chown()' Group Ownership Alteration Privilege Escalation EDB-718 · local · Dec 24, 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-2004:360 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- RHSA-2004:354 vendor-advisory
- linux-fchown-groupid-modify(16599) vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9867 vdb-entry signature
- RHSA-2004:360 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2004:066 vendor-advisory
- CLA-2004:852 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2004:020 vendor-advisory