Description
The shmem_delete_inode function in mm/shmem.c in the tmpfs implementation in the Linux kernel before 2.6.26.1 allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a certain sequence of file create, remove, and overwrite operations, as demonstrated by the insserv program, related to allocation of "useless pages" and improper maintenance of the i_blocks count.
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 | linux-2.6.24 | 2.6.24-6~etchnhalf.5 | DSA-1636-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 1 | kernel-rt +9 | 2.6.24.7-81.el5rt | RHSA-2008:0857 |
Advisories 2
- DSA-1636-1 linux-2.6.24 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2008:0857 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- [linux-kernel] 20080726 tmpfs: kernel BUG at mm/shmem.c:814 mailing-list
- 32190 third-party-advisory
- 32393 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1636 vendor-advisory
- 31881 third-party-advisory
- linux-kernel-tmpfs-dos(44489) vdb-entry
- USN-659-1 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2008:0857 vendor-advisory
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-2.6.26.y.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=14fcc23fdc78e9d32372553ccf21758a9bd56fa1
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.26.1
- 31134 vdb-entry