Description
The futex_wait function in kernel/futex.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.37 does not properly maintain a certain reference count during requeue operations, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (use-after-free and system crash) or possibly gain privileges via a crafted application that triggers a zero count.
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 | 2.6.37 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 2.6.37 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 2.6.37 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +16 | 2.6.32-431.29.2.el6 | RHSA-2014:1167 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Rhel Mission Critical 6 | perf +9 | 2.6.32-220.56.1.el6 | RHSA-2014:1763 |
| RHEL 6.4 EUS | perf +15 | 2.6.32-358.49.1.el6 | RHSA-2014:1365 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2014:1763 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2014:1365 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2014:1167 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
References
- RHSA-2014:1365 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/7ada876a8703f23befbb20a7465a702ee39b1704
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=7ada876a8703f23befbb20a7465a702ee39b1704
- RHSA-2014:1763 vendor-advisory
- http://mirror.linux.org.au/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.37
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1094455