Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the hfs subsystem in the Linux kernel 2.6.32 allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via a crafted Hierarchical File System (HFS) filesystem, related to the hfs_readdir function in fs/hfs/dir.c.
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.1-26etch2 | DSA-2003-1 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | kernel +11 | 2.6.18-164.11.1.el5 | RHSA-2010:0046 |
| RHEL 4 | kernel +10 | 2.6.9-89.0.20.EL | RHSA-2010:0076 |
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2010:0046 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2010:0076 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- DSA-2003-1 linux-2.6 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-2005-1 linux-2.6.24 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- [linux-mm-commits] 20091203 + hfs-fix-a-potential-buffer-overflow.patch added to -mm tree mailing-list
- 38276 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10091 vdb-entry signature
- http://support.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100073666
- [oss-security] 20091204 CVE-2009-4020 kernel: hfs buffer overflow mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:6750 vdb-entry signature
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=540736
- http://userweb.kernel.org/~akpm/mmotm/broken-out/hfs-fix-a-potential-buffer-overflow.patch
- SUSE-SA:2010:019 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2010:023 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2010:0095 vendor-advisory
- 39742 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2010:005 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2010:0046 vendor-advisory
- DSA-2005 vendor-advisory