Description
The start_thread function in arch/powerpc/kernel/process.c in the Linux kernel through 4.6.3 on powerpc platforms mishandles transactional state, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (invalid process state or TM Bad Thing exception, and system crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact by starting and suspending a transaction before an exec 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 | 4.6.3-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 4.6.3-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 4.6.3-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | linux | 3.16.7-ckt25-2+deb8u3 | DSA-3616-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux | 4.4.0-36.55 | USN-3070-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-raspi2 | 4.4.0-1021.27 | USN-3070-2 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-snapdragon | 4.4.0-1024.27 | USN-3070-3 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux | 3.13.0-95.142 | USN-3071-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-vivid | 3.19.0-68.76~14.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-xenial | 4.4.0-36.55~14.04.1 | USN-3070-4 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | perf +18 | 3.10.0-514.el7 | RHSA-2016:2574 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | kernel-docs | 3.12.62-60.62.3 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | kernel-xen +4 | 3.12.62-60.62.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1 |
| SLES 12 | kernel-ec2 +4 | 3.12.61-52.66.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:0471-1, SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1 |
| SLES 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_19 | 1-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:0471-1 |
Show 4 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | kernel-xen +3 | 3.12.62-60.62.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | kernel-xen +3 | 3.12.61-52.66.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:0471-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12_Update_19 | 1-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:0471-1 |
| SLE Real Time 12 SP1 | kernel-rt +5 | 3.12.61-60.18.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:1937-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_7 | 1-4.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | perf +11 | 3.10.0-514.el7 | ELSA-2016-2574 |
Advisories 11
- RHSA-2016:2574 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- USN-3071-1 linux vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- USN-3070-1 linux vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DSA-3616-1 linux - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-3070-2 linux-raspi2 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- USN-3070-3 linux-snapdragon vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- USN-3070-4 linux-lts-xenial vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1937-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2017:0471-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2105-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- ELSA-2016-2574 Important: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 9, 2016
References
- USN-3070-1 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160625 Re: CVE Request: Linux: powerpc/tm: Always reclaim in start_thread() for exec() class syscalls - Linux kernel mailing-list
- openSUSE-SU-2016:2184 vendor-advisory
- https://patchwork.ozlabs.org/patch/636776/
- RHSA-2016:2574 vendor-advisory
- USN-3070-3 vendor-advisory
- USN-3070-2 vendor-advisory
- USN-3071-1 vendor-advisory
- DSA-3616 vendor-advisory
- USN-3070-4 vendor-advisory
- 91415 vdb-entry
- SUSE-SU-2016:2105 vendor-advisory
- USN-3071-2 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:1937 vendor-advisory