Description
Bad reference counting in the context of accept_ice_connection() in gsm-xsmp-server.c in old versions of gnome-session up until version 2.29.92 allows a local attacker to establish ICE connections to gnome-session with invalid authentication data (an invalid magic cookie). Each failed authentication attempt will leak a file descriptor in gnome-session. When the maximum number of file descriptors is exhausted in the gnome-session process, it will enter an infinite loop trying to communicate without success, consuming 100% of the CPU. The graphical session associated with the gnome-session process will stop working correctly, because communication with gnome-session is no longer possible.
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 | gnome-session | 2.30.0-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | gnome-session | 2.30.0-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | gnome-session | 2.30.0-1 | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 11 SP4 | gnome-session | 2.28.0-3.11.12.2 | SUSE-SU-2017:2173-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | gnome-session | 2.28.0-3.11.12.2 | SUSE-SU-2017:2173-1 |
Advisories 1
- SUSE-SU-2017:2173-1 Security update for gnome-session SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026