Description
Race condition in Linux kernel 2.6.17.4 and earlier allows local users to gain root privileges by using prctl with PR_SET_DUMPABLE in a way that causes /proc/self/environ to become setuid root.
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 | 2.6.8-16sarge4 | DSA-1111 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | kernel +8 | 2.6.9-42.0.2.EL | RHSA-2006:0617 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2006:0617 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1111 kernel-source-2.6.8 - race condition Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- linux-proc-race-condition(27790) vdb-entry
- ADV-2006-2816 vdb-entry
- SUSE-SR:2006:017 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2006:042 vendor-advisory
- 21123 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2006:0617 vendor-advisory
- 21057 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10060 vdb-entry signature
- 21605 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2006:047 vendor-advisory
- 21073 third-party-advisory
- http://kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.17.5
- http://www.kernel.org/git/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=blobdiff%3Bh=0cb8f20d000c25118947fcafa81606300ced35f8%3Bhp=243a94af0427b2630fb85f489a5419410dac3bfc%3Bhb=18b0bbd8ca6d3cb90425aa0d77b99a762c6d6de3%3Bf=fs/proc/base.c
- 22174 third-party-advisory
- 27120 vdb-entry
- MDKSA-2006:124 vendor-advisory
- 20060714 Linux kernel 0day - dynamite inside, don't burn your fingers mailing-list
- USN-319-1 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1111 vendor-advisory
- 21498 third-party-advisory
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2006-203.htm
- 21041 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=198973
- 18992 vdb-entry
- USN-319-2 vendor-advisory
- 21119 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2006:049 vendor-advisory
- 20060717 rPSA-2006-0130-1 kernel mailing-list
- 21179 third-party-advisory