Description
Race condition in the (1) load_elf_library and (2) binfmt_aout function calls for uselib in Linux kernel 2.4 through 2.429-rc2 and 2.6 through 2.6.10 allows local users to execute arbitrary code by manipulating the VMA descriptor.
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 4 | kernel +6 | 2.6.9-5.0.3.EL | RHSA-2005:092 |
| RHEL 3 | kernel +8 | 2.4.21-27.0.2.EL | RHSA-2005:043 |
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 3
- Linux Kernel 2.4.x/2.6.x - 'uselib()' Local Privilege Escalation (3) EDB-895 · local · Mar 22, 2005 · verified
- Linux Kernel 2.4 - 'uselib()' Local Privilege Escalation (2) EDB-778 · local · Jan 27, 2005 · verified
- Linux Kernel 2.4.29-rc2 - 'uselib()' Local Privilege Escalation (1) EDB-744 · local · Jan 7, 2005 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 6
- RHSA-2005:092 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2005:043 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
- DSA-1082 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2005:022 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2005:017 vendor-advisory
- FLSA:2336 vendor-advisory
- http://www.securityfocus.com/advisories/7804
- http://isec.pl/vulnerabilities/isec-0021-uselib.txt
- DSA-1070 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2005:016 vendor-advisory
- 20162 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2005:043 vendor-advisory
- 2005-0001 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2005:092 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1067 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2005-014 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1069 vendor-advisory
- CLA-2005:930 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2005:001 vendor-advisory
- 12190 vdb-entry
- linux-uselib-gain-privileges(18800) vdb-entry
- 20050107 Linux kernel sys_uselib local root vulnerability mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9567 vdb-entry signature
- FEDORA-2005-013 vendor-advisory
- 20202 third-party-advisory
- 20338 third-party-advisory