Description
Linux kernel before 2.6.15 allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via a set_mempolicy call with a 0 bitmask, which causes a panic when a page fault occurs.
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-2.6.8 | 2.6.8-16sarge2 | DSA-1017-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | kernel +6 | 2.6.9-22.0.2.EL | RHSA-2006:0101 |
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 1
- Linux Kernel 2.6.x - SET_MEMPOLICY Local Denial of Service EDB-27031 · dos · Jan 4, 2006 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2006:0101 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1017-1 kernel-source-2.6.8 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 1015433 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10410 vdb-entry signature
- http://linux.bkbits.net:8080/linux-2.6/cset%4042307e9fp8ihEMrfaoPMp_agDevQNA
- 18788 third-party-advisory
- 19038 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2006:0101 vendor-advisory
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.15
- SUSE-SA:2006:006 vendor-advisory
- FLSA:157459-4 vendor-advisory
- 18510 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2006-0035 vdb-entry
- SUSE-SA:2006:012 vendor-advisory
- 16135 vdb-entry
- 18216 third-party-advisory
- FLSA:157459-3 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1017 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=175683
- 19374 third-party-advisory