Description
The hugepage code (hugetlb.c) in Linux kernel 2.6, possibly 2.6.12 and 2.6.13, in certain configurations, allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) by triggering an mmap error before a prefault, which causes an error in the unmap_hugepage_area 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-2.6.8 | 2.6.8-16sarge7 | DSA-1304-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | kernel +8 | 2.6.9-42.0.3.EL | RHSA-2006:0689 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2006:0689 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1304-1 kernel-source-2.6.8 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10976 vdb-entry signature
- 22292 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2006:0689 vendor-advisory
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2006-249.htm
- [linux-kernel] 20050805 [PATCH] Fix hugepage crash on failing mmap() mailing-list
- 22945 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1304 vendor-advisory
- 25714 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=165345
- 20362 vdb-entry