Description
The shm_get_stat function in ipc/shm.c in the shm subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.28.5, when CONFIG_SHMEM is disabled, misinterprets the data type of an inode, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system hang) via an SHM_INFO shmctl call, as demonstrated by running the ipcs program.
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 | 2.6.26-15lenny2 | DSA-1800-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | user-mode-linux | 2.6.26-1um-2+15lenny2 | DSA-1800-1 |
| 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 |
Advisories 3
- DSA-1787-1 linux-2.6.24 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1794-1 linux-2.6 - multiple vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1800-1 linux-2.6 user-mode-linux - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 35390 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2009:028 vendor-advisory
- linux-kernel-shmgetstat-dos(49229) vdb-entry
- [linux-kernel] 20090127 [PATCH 1/2] fix shmctl(SHM_INFO) lockup with !CONFIG_SHMEM mailing-list
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=a68e61e8ff2d46327a37b69056998b47745db6fa
- DSA-1794 vendor-advisory
- http://kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.28.5
- SUSE-SA:2009:030 vendor-advisory
- USN-751-1 vendor-advisory
- 35185 third-party-advisory
- [git-commits-head] 20090205 shm: fix shmctl(SHM_INFO) lockup with !CONFIG_SHMEM mailing-list
- 35011 third-party-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20080229 [BUG] soft lockup detected with ipcs mailing-list
- http://patchwork.kernel.org/patch/6554/
- SUSE-SA:2009:031 vendor-advisory
- 34020 vdb-entry
- 34981 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1800 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1787 vendor-advisory
- 35121 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20090306 CVE request: kernel: shm: fix shmctl(SHM_INFO) lockup with !CONFIG_SHMEM mailing-list
- 35394 third-party-advisory