Description
The __scm_destroy function in net/core/scm.c in the Linux kernel 2.6.27.4, 2.6.26, and earlier makes indirect recursive calls to itself through calls to the fput function, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via vectors related to sending an SCM_RIGHTS message through a UNIX domain socket and closing file descriptors.
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.23etch1 | DSA-1687-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.18.dfsg.1-23etch1 | DSA-1687-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | linux-2.6.24 | 2.6.24-6~etchnhalf.7 | DSA-1681-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | user-mode-linux | 2.6.18-1um-2etch.23etch1 | DSA-1687-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-128.el5 | RHSA-2009:0225 |
| RHEL 4 | kernel +10 | 2.6.9-78.0.13.EL | RHSA-2009:0014 |
| RHEL 3 | kernel +8 | 2.4.21-63.EL | RHSA-2009:1550 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5.2 EUS | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-92.1.24.el5 | RHSA-2009:0021 |
| Red Hat MRG 1 | kernel-rt +9 | 2.6.24.7-93.el5rt | RHSA-2009:0009 |
Advisories 7
- RHSA-2009:1550 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2009:0225 Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3 kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2009:0021 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2009:0014 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1687-1 fai-kernels linux-2.6 user-mode-linux - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1681-1 linux-2.6.24 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2009:0009 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- 32998 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20081106 CVE request: kernel: Unix sockets kernel panic mailing-list
- MDVSA-2008:234 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2009:0225 vendor-advisory
- 20100625 VMSA-2010-0010 ESX 3.5 third party update for Service Console kernel mailing-list
- 33641 third-party-advisory
- 4573 third-party-advisory
- 33623 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2009:0009 vendor-advisory
- 1021292 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9558 vdb-entry signature
- 1021511 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2009:0014 vendor-advisory
- 33586 third-party-advisory
- [linux-netdev] 20081106 UNIX sockets kernel panic mailing-list
- 33556 third-party-advisory
- 32154 vdb-entry
- DSA-1687 vendor-advisory
- 32918 third-party-advisory
- 20090104 Re: Linux Kernel 2.6.18/2.6.24/2.6.20/2.6.22/2.6.21 denial of service exploit mailing-list
- USN-679-1 vendor-advisory
- http://kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.4/ChangeLog-2.4.36.9
- linux-kernel-scmdestroy-dos(46538) vdb-entry
- 33180 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2009:1550 vendor-advisory
- http://darkircop.org/unix.c
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=470201
- SUSE-SA:2008:057 vendor-advisory
- 20090101 Linux Kernel 2.6.18/2.6.24/2.6.20/2.6.22/2.6.21 denial of service exploit mailing-list
- 33704 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1681 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11694 vdb-entry signature
- 20090103 Re: Linux Kernel 2.6.18/2.6.24/2.6.20/2.6.22/2.6.21 denial of service exploit mailing-list
- 33079 vdb-entry
- SUSE-SA:2009:008 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2009:004 vendor-advisory