CVE-2011-2484

Description

The add_del_listener function in kernel/taskstats.c in the Linux kernel 2.6.39.1 and earlier does not prevent multiple registrations of exit handlers, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory and CPU consumption), and bypass the OOM Killer, via a crafted 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 6.0	linux-2.6	2.6.32-35squeeze1	DSA-2303-1
Debian 5.0	linux-2.6	2.6.26-26lenny4	DSA-2310-1

Red Hat

Security tracker ↗

Release	Package	Fixed in	Advisory
RHEL 6	perf +14	2.6.32-131.17.1.el6	RHSA-2011:1350
RHEL 5	kernel +11	2.6.18-274.7.1.el5	RHSA-2011:1386

Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)

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-2011:1386 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
RHSA-2011:1350 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
RHSA-2011:1253 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
DSA-2303-1 linux-2.6 - several issues Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
DSA-2310-1 linux-2.6 - several issues Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026

References

48383 vdb-entry
[oss-security] 20110622 Re: CVE request: kernel: taskstats local DoS mailing-list
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=715436
[linux-kernel] 20110616 [PATCH] taskstats: don't allow duplicate entries in listener mode mailing-list
kernel-taskstats-dos(68150) vdb-entry
[oss-security] 20110622 CVE request: kernel: taskstats local DoS mailing-list