Description
The inotify functionality in Linux kernel 2.6 before 2.6.28-rc5 might allow local users to gain privileges via unknown vectors related to race conditions in inotify watch removal and umount.
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 |
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 | 2.6.24.7-101.el5rt | RHSA-2009:0053 |
Advisories 5
- 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-2009:0053 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt 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
- 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
References
- 32998 third-party-advisory
- 20081209 rPSA-2008-0332-1 kernel mailing-list
- RHSA-2009:0225 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10584 vdb-entry signature
- 33706 third-party-advisory
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2915
- http://kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/testing/ChangeLog-2.6.28-rc5
- 33641 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2009:0053 vendor-advisory
- 33503 vdb-entry
- 33756 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-11618 vendor-advisory
- 33348 third-party-advisory
- 33623 third-party-advisory
- http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0332
- 33083 third-party-advisory
- USN-714-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-715-1 vendor-advisory
- 33854 third-party-advisory
- 33704 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1681 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2009:008 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2009:004 vendor-advisory