Description
The get_random_int function in drivers/char/random.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.30 produces insufficiently random numbers, which allows attackers to predict the return value, and possibly defeat protection mechanisms based on randomization, via vectors that leverage the function's tendency to "return the same value over and over again for long stretches of time."
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 | 2.6.26-19lenny2 | DSA-1927-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.18.dfsg.1-26etch1 | DSA-1929-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | linux-2.6.24 | 2.6.24-6~etchnhalf.9etch1 | DSA-1928-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-128.1.14.el5 | RHSA-2009:1106 |
| RHEL 4 | kernel +10 | 2.6.9-89.0.11.EL | RHSA-2009:1438 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 1 | kernel-rt +9 | 2.6.24.7-117.el5rt | RHSA-2009:1081 |
Advisories 6
- RHSA-2009:1106 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2009:1081 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- 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
- DSA-1927-1 linux-2.6 - 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
References
- https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbhf03836en_us
- USN-852-1 vendor-advisory
- http://patchwork.kernel.org/patch/21766/
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=519692
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.30
- 37351 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=499785
- SUSE-SA:2010:012 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11168 vdb-entry signature
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=8a0a9bd4db63bc45e3017bedeafbd88d0eb84d02
- RHSA-2009:1438 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2009:054 vendor-advisory
- 37105 third-party-advisory