Description
The xfer_secondary_pool function in drivers/char/random.c in the Linux kernel 2.4 before 2.4.35 performs reseed operations on only the first few bytes of a buffer, which might make it easier for attackers to predict the output of the random number generator, related to incorrect use of the sizeof operator.
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 | hostap-modules-i386 | 1:0.3.7-1sarge3 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | i2c | 1:2.9.1-1sarge2 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-image-2.4.27-arm +1 | 2.4.27-2sarge6 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-image-2.4.27-m68k | 2.4.27-3sarge6 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-image-2.4.27-sparc | 2.4.27-9sarge6 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-image-speakup-i386 | 2.4.27-1.1sarge5 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-latest-2.4-alpha | 101sarge3 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-latest-2.4-i386 | 101sarge2 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-latest-2.4-s390 | 2.4.27-1sarge2 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-latest-2.4-sparc | 42sarge3 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-patch-2.4.27-mips | 2.4.27-10.sarge4.040815-3 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | kernel-source-2.4.27 +4 | 2.4.27-10sarge6 | DSA-1503-2, DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | mindi-kernel | 2.4.27-2sarge5 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | pcmcia-modules-2.4.27-i386 | 3.2.5+2sarge2 | DSA-1503-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | systemimager | 3.2.3-6sarge5 | DSA-1503-1 |
Advisories 2
- DSA-1503-2 kernel-source-2.4.27 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1503-1 kernelimage-2.4.27 - several issues Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-2.4.34.y.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=faa3369ac2ea7feb0dd266b6a5e8d6ab153cf925
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-2.4.34.y.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=bd67d4c7b11cc33ebdc346bc8926d255b354cd64
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.4/ChangeLog-2.4.34.6
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.4/ChangeLog-2.4.35
- DSA-1503 vendor-advisory
- 29058 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2007-2690 vdb-entry
- 25029 vdb-entry