Description
The z90crypt_unlocked_ioctl function in the z90crypt driver in the Linux kernel 2.6.9 does not perform a capability check for the Z90QUIESCE operation, which allows local users to leverage euid 0 privileges to force a driver outage.
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 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.18.dfsg.1-26etch1 | DSA-1929-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | kernel +10 | 2.6.9-89.0.11.EL | RHSA-2009:1438 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2009:1438 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1929-1 linux-2.6 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20090915 CVE-2009-1883 kernel: missing capability check in z90crypt mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9513 vdb-entry signature
- USN-852-1 vendor-advisory
- 36759 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=505983
- [oss-security] 20090915 Re: CVE-2009-1883 kernel: missing capability check in z90crypt mailing-list
- SUSE-SA:2010:013 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2009:1438 vendor-advisory
- 37105 third-party-advisory