Description
The ptrace_start function in kernel/ptrace.c in the Linux kernel 2.6.18 does not properly handle simultaneous execution of the do_coredump function, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (deadlock) via vectors involving the ptrace system call and a coredumping thread.
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.
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-128.4.1.el5 | RHSA-2009:1193 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5.3 EUS | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-128.4.1.el5 | RHSA-2009:1193 |
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2009:1193 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
References
- 36131 third-party-advisory
- 37471 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:8680 vdb-entry signature
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0016.html
- RHSA-2009:1193 vendor-advisory
- 20091120 VMSA-2009-0016 VMware vCenter and ESX update release and vMA patch release address multiple security issue in third party components mailing-list
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/attachment.cgi?id=346615
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=504263
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/attachment.cgi?id=346742
- 55679 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:8625 vdb-entry signature
- 35559 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20090702 CVE-2009-1388 kernel: do_coredump() vs ptrace_start() deadlock mailing-list
- ADV-2009-3316 vdb-entry