Description
Memory leak in the keyctl_join_session_keyring function (security/keys/keyctl.c) in Linux kernel 2.6.29-rc2 and earlier allows local users to cause a denial of service (kernel memory consumption) via unknown vectors related to a "missing kfree."
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 | 2.6.26-13lenny2 | DSA-1749-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | fai-kernels | 1.17+etch.24etch2 | DSA-1794-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.18.dfsg.1-24etch2 | DSA-1794-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | linux-2.6.24 | 2.6.24-6~etchnhalf.8etch1 | DSA-1787-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | user-mode-linux | 2.6.18-1um-2etch.24etch2 | DSA-1794-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-128.1.1.el5 | RHSA-2009:0264 |
| RHEL 4 | kernel +10 | 2.6.9-78.0.17.EL | RHSA-2009:0331 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 1 | kernel-rt +9 | 2.6.24.7-108.el5rt | RHSA-2009:0360 |
Advisories 6
- RHSA-2009:0331 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2009:0264 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- DSA-1787-1 linux-2.6.24 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1749-1 linux-2.6 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1794-1 linux-2.6 - multiple vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2009:0360 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- 34502 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2009:0331 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11386 vdb-entry signature
- SUSE-SA:2009:010 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2009:0360 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1749 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1794 vendor-advisory
- http://git2.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=0d54ee1c7850a954026deec4cd4885f331da35cc
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2009-114.htm
- USN-751-1 vendor-advisory
- 34252 third-party-advisory
- 35011 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2009:0264 vendor-advisory
- 33858 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20090119 CVE-2009-0031 kernel: local denial of service in keyctl_join_session_keyring mailing-list
- 34981 third-party-advisory
- 34394 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1787 vendor-advisory
- 51501 vdb-entry
- 34762 third-party-advisory