Description
Linux kernel 2.6.16-rc2 and earlier, when running on x86_64 systems with preemption enabled, allows local users to cause a denial of service (oops) via multiple ptrace tasks that perform single steps, which can cause corruption of the DEBUG_STACK stack during the do_debug function call.
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 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-1017-1 kernel-source-2.6.8 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- USN-281-1 vendor-advisory
- MDKSA-2006:151 vendor-advisory
- 21614 third-party-advisory
- 19955 third-party-advisory
- 17216 vdb-entry
- 24098 vdb-entry
- DSA-1017 vendor-advisory
- 19374 third-party-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20060207 [PATCH] arch/x86_64/kernel/traps.c PTRACE_SINGLESTEP oops mailing-list