Description
Multiple integer overflows in the next_pidmap function in kernel/pid.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.38.4 allow local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a crafted (1) getdents or (2) readdir system call.
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 | 2.6.32-131.12.1.el6 | RHSA-2011:1189 |
| RHEL 5 | kernel +11 | 2.6.18-238.19.1.el5 | RHSA-2011:0927 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +10 | 2.6.33.9-rt31.75.el6rt | RHSA-2011:1253 |
Advisories 5
- RHSA-2011:1253 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2011:1189 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 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-2011:0927 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jan 14, 2026
References
- USN-1146-1 vendor-advisory
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.38.4
- 44164 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=697822
- RHSA-2011:0927 vendor-advisory
- kernel-nextpidmap-dos(66876) vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20110419 CVE request -- kernel: proc: signedness issue in next_pidmap() mailing-list
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=c78193e9c7bcbf25b8237ad0dec82f805c4ea69b
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=d8bdc59f215e62098bc5b4256fd9928bf27053a1
- [linux-kernel] 20110418 Re: Kernel panic (NULL ptr deref?) in find_ge_pid()/next_pidmap() (via sys_getdents or sys_readdir) mailing-list
- 47497 vdb-entry
- 1025420 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20110420 Re: CVE request -- kernel: proc: signedness issue in next_pidmap() mailing-list