Description
Integer overflow in the perf_event_interrupt function in arch/powerpc/kernel/perf_event.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39 on powerpc platforms allows local users to cause a denial of service (unhandled performance monitor exception) via vectors that trigger certain outcomes of performance events.
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 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2012:0350 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix 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] 20111215 Re: CVE request - kernel: perf, powerpc: Handle events that raise an exception without overflowing mailing-list
- http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.39
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/0837e3242c73566fc1c0196b4ec61779c25ffc93
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=0837e3242c73566fc1c0196b4ec61779c25ffc93
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=767914