Description
The Transparent Inter-Process Communication (TIPC) functionality in Linux kernel 2.6.16-rc1 through 2.6.33, and possibly other versions, allows local users to cause a denial of service (kernel OOPS) by sending datagrams through AF_TIPC before entering network mode, which triggers a NULL pointer dereference.
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 | 2.6.26-22lenny1 | DSA-2053-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | kernel +11 | 2.6.18-194.8.1.el5 | RHSA-2010:0504 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2010:0504 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- DSA-2053-1 linux-2.6 - several issues Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- MDVSA-2010:198 vendor-advisory
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/davem/net-2.6.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=d0021b252eaf65ca07ed14f0d66425dd9ccab9a6%3Bhp=6d55cb91a0020ac0d78edcad61efd6c8cf5785a3
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=578057
- 39120 vdb-entry
- 43315 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20100331 Re: CVE request: kernel: tipc: Fix oops on send prior to entering networked mode mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9832 vdb-entry signature
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2011-0003.html
- [oss-security] 20100330 CVE request: kernel: tipc: Fix oops on send prior to entering networked mode mailing-list
- DSA-2053 vendor-advisory
- 20110211 VMSA-2011-0003 Third party component updates for VMware vCenter Server, vCenter Update Manager, ESXi and ESX mailing-list
- 39830 third-party-advisory