Description
The time_out_leases function in locks.c for Linux kernel before 2.6.15-rc3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (kernel log message consumption) by causing a large number of broken leases, which is recorded to the log using the printk function.
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 |
| 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 |
| RHEL 3 | kernel +8 | 2.4.21-37.0.1.EL | RHSA-2006:0140 |
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 - Time_Out_Leases PrintK Local Denial of Service EDB-26648 · dos · Nov 29, 2005 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2006:0140 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update 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-1017-1 kernel-source-2.6.8 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1018-1 kernel-source-2.4.27 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- RHSA-2006:0140 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=174337
- http://www.kernel.org/git/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=7ed0175a462c4c30f6df6fac1cccac058f997739
- 19369 third-party-advisory
- 18203 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2006:0101 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1018 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9727 vdb-entry signature
- 19607 third-party-advisory
- FLSA:157459-2 vendor-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20051113 [GIT] Fix memory leak in lease code mailing-list
- FLSA:157459-4 vendor-advisory
- 18510 third-party-advisory
- FLSA:157459-1 vendor-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20051112 Re: local denial-of-service with file leases mailing-list
- TSLSA-2005-0070 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2006:072 vendor-advisory
- 15627 vdb-entry
- DSA-1017 vendor-advisory
- 19374 third-party-advisory
- USN-231-1 vendor-advisory
- 17787 third-party-advisory
- 17786 third-party-advisory
- 18562 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2005-2649 vdb-entry