Description
fs/ext3/super.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.4 uses incorrect arguments to functions in certain circumstances related to printk input, which allows local users to conduct format-string attacks and possibly gain privileges via a crafted application.
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 | 3.2.41-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.2.41-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.2.41-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +15 | 2.6.32-358.14.1.el6 | RHSA-2013:1051 |
Show 4 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6.3 EUS | perf +15 | 2.6.32-279.31.1.el6 | RHSA-2013:0928 |
| RHEL 6.2 EUS | perf +15 | 2.6.32-220.39.1.el6 | RHSA-2013:1026 |
| Red Hat OpenStack 3 | perf +9 | 2.6.32-358.114.1.openstack.el6 | RHSA-2013:1080 |
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +11 | 3.6.11.2-rt33.39.el6rt | RHSA-2013:0829 |
Advisories 5
- RHSA-2013:1026 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2013:0928 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2013:0829 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2013:1051 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2013:1080 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/8d0c2d10dd72c5292eda7a06231056a4c972e4cc
- USN-1812-1 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2013:176 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2013:1051 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2013:0928 vendor-advisory
- USN-1809-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-1814-1 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20130320 CVE-2013-1848 -- Linux kernel: ext3: format string issues mailing-list
- USN-1813-1 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2013:0925 vendor-advisory
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=8d0c2d10dd72c5292eda7a06231056a4c972e4cc
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.8.4
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=920783
- RHSA-2013:1026 vendor-advisory
- USN-1811-1 vendor-advisory