Description
The d_walk function in fs/dcache.c in the Linux kernel through 3.17.2 does not properly maintain the semantics of rename_lock, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (deadlock and system hang) 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 | 3.16.7-ckt4-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.16.7-ckt4-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.16.7-ckt4-1 | — |
| Debian 7 | linux | 3.2.65-1+deb7u2 | DSA-3170-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux | 3.13.0-46.75 | USN-2516-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-utopic | 3.16.0-31.41~14.04.1 | USN-2517-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | kernel-kdump +4 | 3.10.0-229.20.1.el7 | RHSA-2015:1978 |
| RHEL 7 | kernel-rt +7 | 3.10.0-229.20.1.rt56.141.14.el7_1 | RHSA-2015:1977 |
| RHEL 7 | perf +13 | 3.10.0-229.20.1.ael7b | RHSA-2015:1978 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +10 | 1:3.10.0-229.rt56.162.el6rt | RHSA-2015:1976 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 | kernel-docs | 3.12.38-44.5 | SUSE-SU-2015:0529-1 |
| SLES 12 | kernel-ec2 +5 | 3.12.38-44.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:0529-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 | kernel-xen +3 | 3.12.38-44.1 | SUSE-SU-2015:0529-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_3 | 1-2.2 | SUSE-SU-2015:0529-1 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | perf +11 | 3.10.0-229.20.1.el7 | ELSA-2015-1978 |
Advisories 8
- RHSA-2015:1977 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2015:1978 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2015:1976 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- USN-2516-1 linux vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DSA-3170-1 linux - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-2517-1 linux-lts-utopic vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2015:0529-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- ELSA-2015-1978 Moderate: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 3, 2015
References
- [linux-kernel] 20141026 Re: fs: lockup on rename_mutex in fs/dcache.c:1035 mailing-list
- USN-2515-1 vendor-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20141026 Re: fs: lockup on rename_mutex in fs/dcache.c:1035 mailing-list
- DSA-3170 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2015:0736 vendor-advisory
- USN-2492-1 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2015:1978 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20141030 CVE-2014-8559 - Linux kernel fs/dcache.c incorrect use of rename_lock mailing-list
- 62801 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2015:1976 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2015:0178 vendor-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20141026 Re: fs: lockup on rename_mutex in fs/dcache.c:1035 mailing-list
- 70854 vdb-entry
- [linux-kernel] 20141026 Re: fs: lockup on rename_mutex in fs/dcache.c:1035 mailing-list
- USN-2518-1 vendor-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2015-2719645.html
- SUSE-SU-2015:0481 vendor-advisory
- https://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=ca5358ef75fc69fee5322a38a340f5739d997c10
- openSUSE-SU-2015:0566 vendor-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20141026 Re: fs: lockup on rename_mutex in fs/dcache.c:1035 mailing-list
- USN-2493-1 vendor-advisory
- 1034051 vdb-entry
- https://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=946e51f2bf37f1656916eb75bd0742ba33983c28
- [linux-kernel] 20141026 Re: fs: lockup on rename_mutex in fs/dcache.c:1035 mailing-list
- SUSE-SU-2015:0529 vendor-advisory
- USN-2517-1 vendor-advisory
- [linux-kernel] 20141025 fs: lockup on rename_mutex in fs/dcache.c:1035 mailing-list
- openSUSE-SU-2015:0714 vendor-advisory
- USN-2516-1 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1159313
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K05211147