Description
A numeric casting discrepancy in sdla_xfer in Linux kernel 2.6.x up to 2.6.5 and 2.4 up to 2.4.29-rc1 allows local users to read portions of kernel memory via a large len argument, which is received as an int but cast to a short, which prevents a read loop from filling a buffer.
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 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-1018-1 kernel-source-2.4.27 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 18977 third-party-advisory
- 19369 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1018 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2006:044 vendor-advisory
- 16759 vdb-entry
- [linux-kernel] 20040416 Re: [CHECKER] Probable security holes in 2.6.5 mailing-list
- MDKSA-2006:072 vendor-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20040416 Re: [CHECKER] Probable security holes in 2.6.5 mailing-list