Description
The packet_recvmsg function in net/packet/af_packet.c in the Linux kernel before 3.12.4 updates a certain length value before ensuring that an associated data structure has been initialized, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information from kernel memory via a (1) recvfrom, (2) recvmmsg, or (3) recvmsg 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 | 3.12.6-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.12.6-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.12.6-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +16 | 2.6.32-431.11.2.el6 | RHSA-2014:0328 |
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2014:0328 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
References
- USN-2135-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-2138-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-2113-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-2141-1 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1039845
- USN-2110-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-2129-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-2136-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-2128-1 vendor-advisory
- linux-kernel-cve20137270-info-disc(90131) vdb-entry
- USN-2139-1 vendor-advisory
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.12.4
- USN-2117-1 vendor-advisory
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=f3d3342602f8bcbf37d7c46641cb9bca7618eb1c
- 56036 third-party-advisory
- USN-2109-1 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20131231 Re: CVE request: Linux kernel: net: memory leak in recvmsg handlermsg_name & msg_namelen logic mailing-list
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/f3d3342602f8bcbf37d7c46641cb9bca7618eb1c
- 64744 vdb-entry
- 55882 third-party-advisory