Kernel Bug Lay Undiscovered for Eight Years
A Linux kernel bug in network socket initialization could allow an attacker to acquire root privileges to inflict damages. The security hole applies to all kernels of the 2.4 and 2.6 series and has been around possibly since 2001.
Source of the bug is a NULL pointer dereference caused by an incorrectly implemented function during socket initialization. Pointers should have redirected the function to a predefined stub routine, but some protocols leave these pointers uninitialized. The list of affected protocols is pretty long: Appletalk, IPX, X.25, IRDA, Bluetooth, ISDN, AX25, SCTP via IPv6 and IUCV, although there may be more.
The kernel validates the pointers before executing most of the relevant functions. However, it was found that the sock_sendpage() routine bybasses the validation and accepts the NULL pointer. An attacker can thereby inflict some damage with code on the first page executed with root privileges. A precondition, however, is that the attacker already has code modification privileges as user, which precludes any remote attack possibilities.
A few exploits were already prepared for the vulnerability, but a relevant kernel patch now exists in Git. Most distros should implement their own security patches for the affected protocols for their delivered kernel versions.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.
-
ZorinOS 17.1 Released, Includes Improved Windows App Support
If you need or desire to run Windows applications on Linux, there's one distribution intent on making that easier for you and its new release further improves that feature.
-
Linux Market Share Surpasses 4% for the First Time
Look out Windows and macOS, Linux is on the rise and has even topped ChromeOS to become the fourth most widely used OS around the globe.
-
KDE’s Plasma 6 Officially Available
KDE’s Plasma 6.0 "Megarelease" has happened, and it's brimming with new features, polish, and performance.
-
Latest Version of Tails Unleashed
Tails 6.0 is based on Debian 12 and includes GNOME 43.
-
KDE Announces New Slimbook V with Plenty of Power and KDE’s Plasma 6
If you're a fan of KDE Plasma, you'll be thrilled to hear they've announced a new Slimbook with an AMD CPU and the latest version of KDE Plasma desktop.
-
Monthly Sponsorship Includes Early Access to elementary OS 8
If you want to get a glimpse of what's in the pipeline for elementary OS 8, just set up a monthly sponsorship to help fund its continued existence.
-
DebConf24 to be Held in South Korea
Busan will be the location of the latest DebConf running July 28 through August 4
great post
http://www.cocoschanel.com
http://www.gucciguccis.com
http://www.urboots.com
http://www.handbags2012.com
http://www.louisvuittonslv.com
http://www.uggmalls.com
Naivete
If on the other hand it had been known about and exploits available, and it had never been fixed,then there would be something to get upset about."
The comment above may be a bit naive? Just because it was not found by kernel developers until recently does not mean that the bug may not have been exploited.
Why
If on the other hand it had been known about and exploits available, and it had never been fixed,then there would be something to get upset about.
kernel typo - (I hope)
Uh, that applies to all kernels of the 2.4 - 2.6 series...
quote: "2.6, from 2.6.0 up to and including 2.6.30.4"
I hope this was just a typo, because leaving out that it affects the 2.6 series would be a large blunder.