Description
The vmsplice_to_pipe function in Linux kernel 2.6.17 through 2.6.24.1 does not validate a certain userspace pointer before dereference, which allows local users to gain root privileges via crafted arguments in a vmsplice system call, a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-0009 and CVE-2008-0010.
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 5.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.22-6.lenny1 | DTSA-113-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.18.dfsg.1-18etch1 | DSA-1494-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-53.1.13.el5 | RHSA-2008:0129 |
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 2
- Linux Kernel 2.6.17 < 2.6.24.1 - 'vmsplice' Local Privilege Escalation (2) EDB-5092 · local · Feb 9, 2008 · verified
- Linux Kernel 2.6.23 < 2.6.24 - 'vmsplice' Local Privilege Escalation (1) EDB-5093 · local · Feb 9, 2008 · verified
GitHub 1 repository
-
0b0111100/2008 ★ 0 · Sep 7, 2026
Linux Kernel Exploits -> CVE-2008-0600 + CVE-2008-0900 + CVE-2008-4210
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2008:0129 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1494-1 linux-2.6 - privilege escalation Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DTSA-113-1 linux-2.6 - privilege escalation Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- [linux-kernel] 20080210 Re: [PATCH] kernel 2.6.24.1 still vulnerable to the vmsplice local root exploit mailing-list
- 27801 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2008:043 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11358 vdb-entry signature
- 28858 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1494 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=432517
- USN-577-1 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2008:007 vendor-advisory
- 28875 third-party-advisory
- 28933 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-1629 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2008-0487 vdb-entry
- [linux-kernel] 20080210 Re: [PATCH] kernel 2.6.24.1 still vulnerable to the vmsplice local root exploit mailing-list
- SUSE-SA:2008:013 vendor-advisory
- 28889 third-party-advisory
- 28937 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-1433 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-1422 vendor-advisory
- 5092 exploit
- http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0052
- MDVSA-2008:044 vendor-advisory
- 29245 third-party-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20080210 Re: [PATCH] kernel 2.6.24.1 still vulnerable to the vmsplice local root exploit mailing-list
- 28896 third-party-advisory
- 28925 third-party-advisory
- 28835 third-party-advisory
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2237
- FEDORA-2008-1423 vendor-advisory
- 20080212 rPSA-2008-0052-1 kernel mailing-list
- http://wiki.rpath.com/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0052
- 28912 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2008:030 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2008:0129 vendor-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20080210 Re: [PATCH] kernel 2.6.24.1 still vulnerable to the vmsplice local root exploit mailing-list
- 1019393 vdb-entry
- 30818 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=432229
- 27704 vdb-entry
- [linux-kernel] 20080210 Re: [PATCH] kernel 2.6.24.1 still vulnerable to the vmsplice local root exploit mailing-list