Description
Race condition in Linux kernel 2.6 allows local users to read the environment variables of another process that is still spawning via /proc/.../cmdline.
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 3.1 | kernel-source-2.4.27 | 2.4.27-10sarge2 | DSA-1018-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | kernel +8 | 2.4.21-27.0.4.EL | RHSA-2005:293 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2005:293 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1018-1 kernel-source-2.4.27 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 18684 third-party-advisory
- 19038 third-party-advisory
- MDKSA-2005:022 vendor-advisory
- linux-spawning-race-condition(17151) vdb-entry
- 19369 third-party-advisory
- 21476 third-party-advisory
- 11937 vdb-entry
- DSA-1018 vendor-advisory
- 11052 vdb-entry
- GLSA-200408-24 vendor-advisory
- 19607 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2006:0190 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10427 vdb-entry signature
- SUSE-SA:2006:012 vendor-advisory
- USN-38-1 vendor-advisory
- FLSA:152532 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2005:293 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2006:0191 vendor-advisory