Description
The ring_buffer_resize function in kernel/trace/ring_buffer.c in the profiling subsystem in the Linux kernel before 4.6.1 mishandles certain integer calculations, which allows local users to gain privileges by writing to the /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb file.
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 | 4.6.1-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 4.6.1-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 4.6.1-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-riscv +6 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv +2 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +4 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp +4 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux | 4.4.0-28.47 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-raspi2 | 4.4.0-1016.22 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-snapdragon | 4.4.0-1019.22 | — |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux | 3.13.0-132.181 | USN-3422-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-xenial | 4.4.0-28.47~14.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde-5.15 | No fix yet | — |
Advisories 1
- USN-3422-1 linux vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
References
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-01-01.html
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.6.1
- 95278 vdb-entry
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/59643d1535eb220668692a5359de22545af579f6
- http://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=59643d1535eb220668692a5359de22545af579f6