Description
The timer_create syscall implementation in kernel/time/posix-timers.c in the Linux kernel before 4.14.8 doesn't properly validate the sigevent->sigev_notify field, which leads to out-of-bounds access in the show_timer function (called when /proc/$PID/timers is read). This allows userspace applications to read arbitrary kernel memory (on a kernel built with CONFIG_POSIX_TIMERS and CONFIG_CHECKPOINT_RESTORE).
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 | 4.14.12-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 4.14.12-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 4.14.12-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-raspi-realtime | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv +2 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +3 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux | 4.4.0-121.145 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-aws | 4.4.0-1055.64 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-azure | 4.15.0-1013.13~16.04.2 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-euclid | 4.4.0-9029.31 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 4.15.0-1014.14~16.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe | 4.15.0-24.26~16.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-kvm | 4.4.0-1021.26 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-raspi2 | 4.4.0-1087.95 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-snapdragon | 4.4.0-1090.95 | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux | 3.13.0-155.205 | USN-3742-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-aws | 4.4.0-1017.17 | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-xenial | 4.4.0-121.145~14.04.1 | — |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 16.04 LTS | linux-fips | 4.4.0-1008.10 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | kernel-alt +1 | 4.14.0-115.el7a | RHSA-2018:2948 |
| RHEL 7 | kernel-rt +10 | 3.10.0-957.rt56.910.el7 | RHSA-2018:3096 |
| RHEL 7 | perf +18 | 3.10.0-957.el7 | RHSA-2018:3083, RHSA-2018:2948 |
Show 7 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7.5 EUS | perf +18 | 3.10.0-862.20.2.el7 | RHSA-2018:3459 |
| RHEL 7.4 EUS | perf +18 | 3.10.0-693.43.1.el7 | RHSA-2018:3540 |
| RHEL 7.3 EUS | perf +18 | 3.10.0-514.61.1.el7 | RHSA-2018:3591 |
| RHEL 7.2 TUS | perf +12 | 3.10.0-327.76.1.el7 | RHSA-2018:3590 |
| RHEL 7.2 E4S | perf +12 | 3.10.0-327.76.1.el7 | RHSA-2018:3590 |
| RHEL 7.2 AUS | perf +12 | 3.10.0-327.76.1.el7 | RHSA-2018:3590 |
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +10 | 1:3.10.0-693.43.1.rt56.630.el6rt | RHSA-2018:3586 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 | kernel-azure +2 | 4.12.14-5.8.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2222-1 |
| SLES 15 | kernel-docs +6 | 4.12.14-25.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2223-1 |
| SLES 12 SP3 | dpdk +1 | 16.11.6-8.7.2 | SUSE-SU-2018:2328-1 |
| SLES 12 SP3 | kernel-azure +2 | 4.4.143-4.13.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2374-1 |
| SLES 12 SP3 | kernel-docs +4 | 4.4.143-94.47.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2328-1 |
| SLES 12 SP3 | lttng-modules | 2.7.1-8.4.2 | SUSE-SU-2018:2328-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.121-92.92.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-2, SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_13 | 11-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2387-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_14 +1 | 9-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2391-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_16 +1 | 8-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2416-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_18 +1 | 6-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2391-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_24 | 1-3.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-2, SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | lttng-modules | 2.7.1-9.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-2, SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | kernel-ec2 +5 | 3.0.101-108.144.1 | SUSE-SU-2023:3333-1 |
Show 7 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | dpdk +1 | 16.11.6-8.7.2 | SUSE-SU-2018:2328-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | kernel-azure +1 | 4.4.143-4.13.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2374-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.143-94.47.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2328-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | lttng-modules | 2.7.1-8.4.2 | SUSE-SU-2018:2328-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.121-92.92.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_13 | 11-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2387-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_14 +1 | 9-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2391-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_16 +1 | 8-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2416-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_18 +1 | 6-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2391-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_24 | 1-3.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | lttng-modules | 2.7.1-9.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SLE Real Time 12 SP3 | kernel-rt +3 | 4.4.147-3.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2596-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 | kernel-default | 4.12.14-25.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2223-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15_Update_0 | 2-4.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2474-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15_Update_1 | 2-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2472-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15_Update_2 | 1-1.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2223-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP3 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_1 | 11-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2413-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP3 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_16 | 1-4.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2328-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP3 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_2 +1 | 10-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2413-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP3 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_4 | 9-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2416-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP3 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_5 +2 | 8-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2416-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP3 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_8 +1 | 6-2.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2416-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.121-92.92.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_24 | 1-3.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | lttng-modules | 2.7.1-9.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 4 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.121-92.92.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 4 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_24 | 1-3.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 4 | lttng-modules | 2.7.1-9.4.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | dtrace-modules-3.8.13-118.24.1.el6uek | 0.4.5-3.el6 | ELSA-2018-4211 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | dtrace-modules-3.8.13-118.24.1.el7uek | 0.4.5-3.el7 | ELSA-2018-4211 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | kernel-uek +5 | 3.8.13-118.24.1.el7uek | ELSA-2018-4211, ELSA-2018-4196 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | perf +12 | 3.10.0-957.el7 | ELSA-2018-3083 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Linux Kernel 4.14.7 (Ubuntu 16.04 / CentOS 7) - (KASLR & SMEP Bypass) Arbitrary File Read EDB-45175 · local · Aug 9, 2018
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 27
- RHSA-2018:3083 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jul 8, 2026
- RHSA-2018:3096 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jul 8, 2026
- RHSA-2018:3590 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jul 1, 2026
- RHSA-2018:3591 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jul 1, 2026
- RHSA-2018:3586 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jul 1, 2026
- RHSA-2018:3540 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jul 1, 2026
- RHSA-2018:2948 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-alt security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jul 1, 2026
- RHSA-2018:3459 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- USN-3742-1 linux vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 1, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2328-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2374-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2387-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 13 for SLE 12 SP2) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2023:3333-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2416-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 16 for SLE 12 SP2) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2474-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 0 for SLE 15) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2391-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 18 for SLE 12 SP2) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2472-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 1 for SLE 15) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2344-2 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2413-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel (Live Patch 2 for SLE 12 SP3) SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2222-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2344-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2223-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2596-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025
- WID-SEC-2023-2081 Linux Kernel: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Denial of Service und Offenlegung von Informationen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Aug 16, 2023
- ELSA-2018-3083 Important: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 5, 2018
- ELSA-2018-4211 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Sep 10, 2018
- ELSA-2018-4196 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Aug 14, 2018
References
- RHSA-2018:3540 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2018:3083 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2018:3591 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2018:3459 vendor-advisory
- 1041414 vdb-entry
- https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/ChangeLog-4.14.8
- RHSA-2018:3590 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2018:2948 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/cef31d9af908243421258f1df35a4a644604efbe
- USN-3742-2 vendor-advisory
- 104909 vdb-entry
- USN-3742-1 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2018:3586 vendor-advisory
- 45175 exploit
- RHSA-2018:3096 vendor-advisory