Description
The copy_creds function in kernel/cred.c in the Linux kernel before 3.3.2 provides an invalid replacement session keyring to a child process, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via a crafted application that uses the fork system call.
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 | 3.2.15-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.2.15-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.2.15-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +15 | 2.6.32-279.1.1.el6 | RHSA-2012:1064 |
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2012:1064 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
References
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.3.2
- USN-1606-1 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/79549c6dfda0603dba9a70a53467ce62d9335c33
- USN-1567-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-1597-1 vendor-advisory
- 50853 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=833428
- 50961 third-party-advisory
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=79549c6dfda0603dba9a70a53467ce62d9335c33
- 1027236 vdb-entry
- 54365 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2012:1064 vendor-advisory
- 50633 third-party-advisory