Description
Floating point information leak in the context switch code for Linux 2.4.x only checks the MFH bit but does not verify the FPH owner, which allows local users to read register values of other processes by setting the MFH bit.
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 | 2.4.21-27.0.1.EL | RHSA-2004:689 |
Advisories 5
- RHSA-2004:689 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 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
- [owl-users] 20040619 Linux 2.4.26-ow2 mailing-list
- DSA-1082 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1070 vendor-advisory
- 20162 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10714 vdb-entry signature
- DSA-1067 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1069 vendor-advisory
- 10687 vdb-entry
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=124734
- MDKSA-2004:066 vendor-advisory
- 20202 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2004:504 vendor-advisory
- linux-ia64-info-disclosure(16644) vdb-entry
- 20338 third-party-advisory