Description
The osf_partition function in fs/partitions/osf.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.38 does not properly handle an invalid number of partitions, which might allow local users to obtain potentially sensitive information from kernel heap memory via vectors related to partition-table parsing.
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 6.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.32-34squeeze1 | DSA-2240-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.26-26lenny3 | DSA-2264-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +14 | 2.6.32-131.0.15.el6 | RHSA-2011:0542 |
| RHEL 5 | kernel +11 | 2.6.18-238.12.1.el5 | RHSA-2011:0833 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6.0 EUS | perf +14 | 2.6.32-71.31.1.el6 | RHSA-2011:0883 |
| Red Hat MRG 1 | perf +10 | 2.6.33.9-rt31.64.el5rt | RHSA-2011:0500 |
Advisories 6
- RHSA-2011:0833 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2011:0500 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2011:0542 Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.1 kernel security, bug fix and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2240-1 linux-2.6 - several issues Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-2264-1 linux-2.6 - several issues Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2011:0883 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- [mm-commits] 20110314 + fs-partitions-osfc-corrupted-osf-partition-table-can-cause-information-disclosure.patch added to -mm tree mailing-list
- 46878 vdb-entry
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=1eafbfeb7bdf59cfe173304c76188f3fd5f1fd05
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=688021
- 8189 third-party-advisory
- 1025225 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20110315 Re: CVE Request: kernel: fs/partitions: Corrupted OSF partition table can cause information disclosure mailing-list
- RHSA-2011:0833 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20110315 CVE Request: kernel: fs/partitions: Corrupted OSF partition table can cause information disclosure mailing-list
- http://www.pre-cert.de/advisories/PRE-SA-2011-02.txt
- http://downloads.avaya.com/css/P8/documents/100145416
- 20110317 [PRE-SA-2011-02] Information disclosure vulnerability in the OSF partition handling code of the Linux kernel mailing-list
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.38
- SUSE-SU-2015:0812 vendor-advisory