Description
The mm_for_maps function in fs/proc/base.c in the Linux kernel 2.6.30.4 and earlier allows local users to read (1) maps and (2) smaps files under proc/ via vectors related to ELF loading, a setuid process, and a race condition.
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-2.6.24 | 2.6.24-6~etchnhalf.9etch3 | DSA-2005-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 1 | kernel-rt +9 | 2.6.24.7-137.el5rt | RHSA-2009:1540 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2009:1540 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- DSA-2005-1 linux-2.6.24 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- [linux-kernel] 20090623 [PATCH 1/1] mm_for_maps: simplify, use ptrace_may_access() mailing-list
- 36265 third-party-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20090623 [PATCH 0/1] mm_for_maps: simplify, use ptrace_may_access() mailing-list
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=516171
- RHSA-2009:1540 vendor-advisory
- 36019 vdb-entry
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=00f89d218523b9bf6b522349c039d5ac80aa536d
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=704b836cbf19e885f8366bccb2e4b0474346c02d
- [oss-security] 20090811 CVE-2009-2691 kernel: /proc/$pid/maps visible during initial setuid ELF loading mailing-list
- [linux-kernel] 20090710 [PATCH 1/2] mm_for_maps: shift down_read(mmap_sem) to the caller mailing-list
- FEDORA-2009-9044 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2009-2246 vdb-entry
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=13f0feafa6b8aead57a2a328e2fca6a5828bf286
- 36501 third-party-advisory
- DSA-2005 vendor-advisory
- linux-kernel-mmformaps-info-disclosure(52401) vdb-entry
- [linux-kernel] 20090710 [PATCH 2/2] mm_for_maps: take ->cred_guard_mutex to fix the race mailing-list