Description
The execve function in the Linux kernel, possibly 2.6.30-rc6 and earlier, does not properly clear the current->clear_child_tid pointer, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly gain privileges via a clone system call with CLONE_CHILD_SETTID or CLONE_CHILD_CLEARTID enabled, which is not properly handled during thread creation and exit.
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 | fai-kernels | 1.17+etch.24etch4 | DSA-1872-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.18.dfsg.1-24etch4 | DSA-1872-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | linux-2.6.24 | 2.6.24-6~etchnhalf.9etch1 | DSA-1928-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | user-mode-linux | 2.6.18-1um-2etch.24etch4 | DSA-1872-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-164.el5 | RHSA-2009:1243 |
| RHEL 4 | kernel +10 | 2.6.9-89.0.11.EL | RHSA-2009:1438 |
| RHEL 3 | kernel +8 | 2.4.21-63.EL | RHSA-2009:1550 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5.3 EUS | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-128.8.1.el5 | RHSA-2009:1466 |
| Red Hat MRG 1 | kernel-rt +9 | 2.6.24.7-132.el5rt | RHSA-2009:1239 |
Advisories 7
- RHSA-2009:1550 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2009:1239 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2009:1243 Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2009:1438 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1872-1 fai-kernels linux-2.6 user-mode-linux - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1928-1 linux-2.6.24 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2009:1466 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- 20100625 VMSA-2010-0010 ESX 3.5 third party update for Service Console kernel mailing-list
- 37471 third-party-advisory
- USN-852-1 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2009:1243 vendor-advisory
- 36759 third-party-advisory
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0016.html
- 37351 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2009:056 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2010:012 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9766 vdb-entry signature
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11412 vdb-entry signature
- 20091120 VMSA-2009-0016 VMware vCenter and ESX update release and vMA patch release address multiple security issue in third party components mailing-list
- 36562 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2009-9044 vendor-advisory
- kernel-execve-dos(52899) vdb-entry
- [linux-kernel] 20090801 [PATCH v2] execve: must clear current->clear_child_tid mailing-list
- 35983 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2009:1550 vendor-advisory
- 36501 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:8598 vdb-entry signature
- [oss-security] 20090804 CVE request - kernel: execve: must clear current->clear_child_tid mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20090805 Re: CVE request - kernel: execve: must clear current->clear_child_tid mailing-list
- RHSA-2009:1438 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2009:054 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2009-3316 vdb-entry
- 37105 third-party-advisory