Description
The crypto API in the Linux kernel through 3.9-rc8 does not initialize certain length variables, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel stack memory via a crafted recvmsg or recvfrom system call, related to the hash_recvmsg function in crypto/algif_hash.c and the skcipher_recvmsg function in crypto/algif_skcipher.c.
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 | 3.8.11-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.8.11-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.8.11-1 | — |
| Debian 7 | linux | 3.2.41-2+deb7u2 | DSA-2669-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +11 | 3.6.11.2-rt33.39.el6rt | RHSA-2013:0829 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2013:0829 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- DSA-2669-1 linux - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- openSUSE-SU-2013:1187 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2013-6537 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2013-6999 vendor-advisory
- USN-1837-1 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20130414 Linux kernel: more net info leak fixes for v3.9 mailing-list
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/72a763d805a48ac8c0bf48fdb510e84c12de51fe
- SUSE-SU-2013:1182 vendor-advisory