Description
The 64 bit ELF support in Linux kernel 2.6 before 2.6.10, on 64-bit architectures, does not properly check for overlapping VMA (virtual memory address) allocations, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted ELF or a.out file.
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 | 2.4.21-27.0.2.EL | RHSA-2005:043 |
Advisories 5
- 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
- SUSE-SA:2005:018 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2005:017 vendor-advisory
- http://linux.bkbits.net:8080/linux-2.4/cset%4041c36fb6q1Z68WUzKQFjJR-40Ev3tw
- DSA-1070 vendor-advisory
- linux-vma-gain-privileges(18886) vdb-entry
- RHSA-2005:043 vendor-advisory
- 2005-0001 vendor-advisory
- 12261 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9512 vdb-entry signature
- DSA-1067 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1069 vendor-advisory
- 1012885 vdb-entry
- http://linux.bkbits.net:8080/linux-2.6/cset%4041a6721cce-LoPqkzKXudYby_3TUmg
- 20202 third-party-advisory
- 20338 third-party-advisory