Description
The install_special_mapping function in mm/mmap.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.37-rc6 does not make an expected security_file_mmap function call, which allows local users to bypass intended mmap_min_addr restrictions and possibly conduct NULL pointer dereference attacks via a crafted assembly-language application.
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 | 2.6.26-26lenny2 | DSA-2153-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | user-mode-linux | 2.6.26-1um-2+26lenny2 | DSA-2153-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +13 | 2.6.32-71.24.1.el6 | RHSA-2011:0421 |
| RHEL 5 | kernel +11 | 2.6.18-238.9.1.el5 | RHSA-2011:0429 |
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-rt29.55.el5rt | RHSA-2011:0330 |
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2011:0421 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- DSA-2153-1 linux-2.6 - several issues Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2011:0429 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jan 14, 2026
- RHSA-2011:0330 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jan 14, 2026
References
- 20111013 VMSA-2011-0012 VMware ESXi and ESX updates to third party libraries and ESX Service Console mailing-list
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=662189
- 46397 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20101209 Re: [taviso@cmpxchg8b.com: [PATCH] install_special_mapping skips security_file_mmap check.] mailing-list
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=462e635e5b73ba9a4c03913b77138cd57ce4b050
- [linux-kernel] 20101209 [PATCH] install_special_mapping skips security_file_mmap check. mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20101210 Re: Subject: CVE request: kernel: install_special_mapping skips security_file_mmap check mailing-list
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2011-0012.html
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/testing/ChangeLog-2.6.37-rc6
- MDVSA-2011:029 vendor-advisory
- 45323 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20101210 Subject: CVE request: kernel: install_special_mapping skips security_file_mmap check mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20101209 [taviso@cmpxchg8b.com: [PATCH] install_special_mapping skips security_file_mmap check.] mailing-list
- 42570 third-party-advisory