Description
The sys_get_thread_area function in process.c in Linux 2.6 before 2.6.12.4 and 2.6.13 does not clear a data structure before copying it to userspace, which might allow a user process to obtain sensitive information.
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-image-2.6.8-hppa | 2.6.8-6sarge1 | DSA-922-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-image-2.6.8-ia64 | 2.6.8-14sarge1 | DSA-922-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-image-2.6.8-m68k | 2.6.8-4sarge1 | DSA-922-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-image-2.6.8-s390 | 2.6.8-5sarge1 | DSA-922-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-image-2.6.8-sparc | 2.6.8-15sarge1 | DSA-922-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-patch-powerpc-2.6.8 | 2.6.8-12sarge1 | DSA-922-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-source-2.6.8 +3 | 2.6.8-16sarge1 | DSA-922-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | kernel +6 | 2.6.9-22.0.2.EL | RHSA-2006:0101 |
| RHEL 3 | kernel +8 | 2.4.21-40.EL | RHSA-2006:0144 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2006:0144 Red Hat Security Advisory: Updated kernel packages available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 Update 7 Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2006:0101 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-922-1 kernel-source-2.6.8 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9748 vdb-entry signature
- 18056 third-party-advisory
- MDKSA-2005:220 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2006:0144 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2006:0101 vendor-advisory
- 15527 vdb-entry
- http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/8/3/36
- FLSA:157459-2 vendor-advisory
- DSA-922 vendor-advisory
- USN-219-1 vendor-advisory
- 18510 third-party-advisory
- http://www.kernel.org/git/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=71ae18ec690953e9ba7107c7cc44589c2cc0d9f1
- MDKSA-2005:218 vendor-advisory
- FLSA:157459-1 vendor-advisory
- 17826 third-party-advisory
- FLSA:157459-3 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2005:219 vendor-advisory
- 19252 third-party-advisory
- http://linux.bkbits.net:8080/linux-2.6/cset%4042e81864gSEM90Oun0jA8dufpM3inw