Description
The wait_task_stopped function in the Linux kernel before 2.6.23.8 checks a TASK_TRACED bit instead of an exit_state value, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (machine crash) via unspecified vectors. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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 4.0 | fai-kernels | 1.17+etch.13etch5 | DSA-1428-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.18.dfsg.1-13etch5 | DSA-1428-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | user-mode-linux | 2.6.18-1um-2etch.13etch5 | DSA-1428-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | kernel +10 | 2.6.9-67.0.4.EL | RHSA-2008:0055 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2008:0055 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1428-1 fai-kernels linux-2.6 user-mode-linux - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 30962 third-party-advisory
- 27922 third-party-advisory
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-2.6.23.y.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=36ef66c5d137b9a31fd8c35d236fb9e26ef74f97
- 27703 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2007-3751 vendor-advisory
- 27919 third-party-advisory
- 28706 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2008:112 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2008:013 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2008:008 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1428 vendor-advisory
- 28033 third-party-advisory
- 27664 third-party-advisory
- 26477 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2008:044 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2007:063 vendor-advisory
- 29245 third-party-advisory
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-1965
- USN-558-1 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2007-3902 vdb-entry
- linux-kernel-waittaskstopped-dos(38547) vdb-entry
- 28748 third-party-advisory
- USN-574-1 vendor-advisory
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.23.8
- 28971 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9868 vdb-entry signature
- 28170 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2007-759 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2008:030 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2007-3837 vendor-advisory
- USN-578-1 vendor-advisory
- 27888 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2008:0055 vendor-advisory
- 30818 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2008:032 vendor-advisory