Description
The user_update function in security/keys/user_defined.c in the Linux kernel 2.6 allows local users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and kernel oops) via vectors related to a user-defined key and "updating a negative key into a fully instantiated key."
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.el6 | RHSA-2011:1530 |
| RHEL 5 | kernel +12 | 2.6.18-274.12.1.el5 | RHSA-2011:1479 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6.1 EUS | perf +14 | 2.6.32-131.25.1.el6 | RHSA-2012:0116 |
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +10 | 2.6.33.9-rt31.79.el6rt | RHSA-2012:0333, RHSA-2012:0010 |
Advisories 6
- RHSA-2012:0333 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2012:0010 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2011:1479 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2011:1530 Red Hat Security Advisory: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 kernel security, bug fix and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2389-1 linux-2.6 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2012:0116 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- [linux-kernel] 20111115 [PATCH] KEYS: Fix a NULL pointer deref in the user-defined key type mailing-list
- 50755 vdb-entry
- USN-1328-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-1344-1 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20111122 Re: CVE-2011-4110 kernel: keys: NULL pointer deref in the user-defined key type mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20111121 CVE-2011-4110 kernel: keys: NULL pointer deref in the user-defined key type mailing-list
- USN-1324-1 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=751297
- 47754 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20111121 Re: CVE-2011-4110 kernel: keys: NULL pointer deref in the user-defined key type mailing-list
- HPSBGN02970 vendor-advisory