Description
The do_ipv6_setsockopt function in net/ipv6/ipv6_sockglue.c in Linux kernel before 2.6.20, and possibly other versions, allows local users to cause a denial of service (oops) by calling setsockopt with the IPV6_RTHDR option name and possibly a zero option length or invalid option value, which triggers a NULL pointer dereference.
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.
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | kernel +10 | 2.6.18-8.1.3.el5 | RHSA-2007:0169 |
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.
Exploit-DB 1
- Linux Kernel 2.6.x - IPv6_SockGlue.c Null Pointer Dereference Denial of Service EDB-29781 · dos · Mar 26, 2007 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2007:0169 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- USN-464-1 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2007-1122 vdb-entry
- 23142 vdb-entry
- 24901 third-party-advisory
- MDKSA-2007:078 vendor-advisory
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-1154
- 24777 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2007:029 vendor-advisory
- 25099 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2007:0169 vendor-advisory
- 25080 third-party-advisory
- http://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=8155
- 25392 third-party-advisory
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.20.4
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11509 vdb-entry signature