Description
The override_release function in kernel/sys.c in the Linux kernel before 3.4.16 allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel stack memory via a uname system call in conjunction with a UNAME26 personality.
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 14 | linux | 3.2.32-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.2.32-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.2.32-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +11 | 3.2.33-rt50.66.el6rt | RHSA-2012:1491 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Linux Kernel 3.2.x - 'uname()' System Call Local Information Disclosure EDB-37937 · local · Oct 9, 2012 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2012:1491 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jul 20, 2026
References
- USN-1644-1 vendor-advisory
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.4.16
- USN-1645-1 vendor-advisory
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=2702b1526c7278c4d65d78de209a465d4de2885e
- USN-1647-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-1652-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-1646-1 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=862877
- FEDORA-2012-17479 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/2702b1526c7278c4d65d78de209a465d4de2885e
- USN-1648-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-1649-1 vendor-advisory
- 51409 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20121009 Linux kernel stack memory content leak via UNAME26 mailing-list