Description
Buffer overflow in the xfs_readlink function in fs/xfs/xfs_vnodeops.c in XFS in the Linux kernel 2.6, when CONFIG_XFS_DEBUG is disabled, allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an XFS image containing a symbolic link with a long pathname.
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 | 2.6.32-39squeeze1 | DSA-2389-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +15 | 2.6.32-220.7.1.el6 | RHSA-2012:0350 |
| RHEL 5 | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-274.17.1.el5 | RHSA-2012:0007 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +10 | 3.0.18-rt34.53.el6rt | RHSA-2012:0333 |
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2012:0350 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2012:0333 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2012:0007 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- DSA-2389-1 linux-2.6 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20111026 CVE Request -- kernel: xfs: potential buffer overflow in xfs_readlink() mailing-list
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=749156
- [oss-security] 20111026 Re: CVE Request -- kernel: xfs: potential buffer overflow in xfs_readlink() mailing-list
- http://xorl.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/cve-2011-4077-linux-kernel-xfs-readlink-memory-corruption/
- [xfs] 20111018 [PATCH] Fix possible memory corruption in xfs_readlink mailing-list
- 48964 third-party-advisory
- HPSBGN02970 vendor-advisory