Description
The load_elf_binary function in fs/binfmt_elf.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.32.8 on the x86_64 platform does not ensure that the ELF interpreter is available before a call to the SET_PERSONALITY macro, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a 32-bit application that attempts to execute a 64-bit application and then triggers a segmentation fault, as demonstrated by amd64_killer, related to the flush_old_exec function.
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 | 2.6.26-21lenny3 | DSA-1996-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | kernel +11 | 2.6.18-194.3.1.el5 | RHSA-2010:0398 |
| RHEL 4 | kernel +10 | 2.6.9-89.0.23.EL | RHSA-2010:0146 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 1 | perf +10 | 2.6.33.7-rt29.45.el5rt | RHSA-2010:0771 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Exploit-DB 1
- Linux Kernel 2.6.x (x64) - Personality Handling Local Denial of Service EDB-33585 · dos · Feb 1, 2010 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2010:0146 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2010:0398 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1996-1 linux-2.6 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2010:0771 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jan 14, 2026
References
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10870 vdb-entry signature
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=221af7f87b97431e3ee21ce4b0e77d5411cf1549
- [oss-security] 20100201 Re: CVE request - kernel: DoS on x86_64 mailing-list
- USN-914-1 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=560547
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.32.8
- ADV-2010-0638 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20100203 Re: CVE request - kernel: DoS on x86_64 mailing-list
- RHSA-2010:0771 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2010:0146 vendor-advisory
- 38779 third-party-advisory
- 39649 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2010:014 vendor-advisory
- 38922 third-party-advisory
- http://marc.info/?t=126466700200002&r=1&w=2
- DSA-1996 vendor-advisory
- http://www.globalsecuritymag.com/Vigil-nce-Linux-kernel-denial-of%2C20100202%2C15754.html
- FEDORA-2010-1787 vendor-advisory
- 43315 third-party-advisory
- [linux-mm] 20100128 DoS on x86_64 mailing-list
- MDVSA-2010:066 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2010:0398 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20100204 Re: CVE request - kernel: DoS on x86_64 mailing-list
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2011-0003.html
- [oss-security] 20100201 CVE request - kernel: DoS on x86_64 mailing-list
- http://support.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100088287
- 20110211 VMSA-2011-0003 Third party component updates for VMware vCenter Server, vCenter Update Manager, ESXi and ESX mailing-list
- 38027 vdb-entry
- 38492 third-party-advisory