Linux kernel do_fork memory leak

linux-dofork-memory-leak (16002) The risk level is classified as MediumMedium Risk

Description:

Linux kernel could allow a local attacker to obtain sensitive information, caused by a memory leak in the error path of the do_fork function. If an error exists after the allocation of the mm_struct for a child process, the do_fork function fails to free the process.


Consequences:

Obtain Information

Remedy:

For Fedora Linux:
Upgrade to the latest kernel package (2.4.22-1.2188.nptl or later), as listed in the Fedora Update Notification FEDORA-2004-111. See References.

For Mandrake Linux:
Upgrade to the latest kernel package, as listed below. Refer to MandrakeSoft Security Advisory MDKSA-2004:037 : kernel for more information. See References.

Mandrake Linux 9.1 and 9.2: 2.4.21.0.30mdk-1-1mdk or later
Mandrake Linux Multi Network Firewall 8.2 and Corporate Server 2.1: 2.4.19.40mdk-1-1mdk
Mandrake Linux 10.0: 2.4.25.4mdk-1-1mdk or later

For Turbolinux:
Upgrade to the latest kernel package, as listed below. Refer to Turbolinux Security Advisory TLSA-2004-14 for more information. See References.

Turbolinux Appliance Server 1.0 Hosting Edition: 2.4.25-3 or later
Turbolinux 10 Desktop: 2.6.0-8 or later
Turbolinux 8 Server or Workstation: 2.4.18-19 or later
Turbolinux 7 Server or Workstation: 2.4.18-19 or later

For Red Hat Linux:
Upgrade to the latest kernel package, as listed below. Refer to RHSA-2004:255 and RHSA-2004:327-09 for more information. See References.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (v. 3), ES (v. 3), WS (v. 3), Desktop: 2.4.21-15.0.2.EL.x86_64 or later
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (v. 2.1), and Red Hat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 for the Itanium Processor: 2.4.18-e.47 or later

For Gentoo Linux:
Upgrade to the latest version of kernel, as listed in GLSA 200407-02. See References.

For Conectiva Linux:
Upgrade to the latest kernel package, as listed below. Refer to Conectiva Linux Security Announcement CLSA-2004:846 for more information. See References.

Conectiva Linux 8: 2.4.19-1U80_24cl or later
Conectiva Linux 9: 2.4.21-31301U90_18cl or later

For Debian GNU/Linux:
Refer to DSA-1070-1, DSA-1069-1, DSA-1067-1, or DSA-1082-1 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For other distributions:
Contact your vendor for upgrade or patch information.

References:

  • CIAC Information Bulletin O-164: Red Hat Updated Kernel Packages Fix Security Vulnerabilities.
  • Conectiva Linux Announcement CLSA-2004:846: Fixes for kernel vulnerabilities.
  • Fedora-Announce Mailing List, Thu, 22 Apr 2004 17:58:51 +0100: Updated kernel packages fix security issues..
  • BID-10221: Linux kernel do_fork() Memory Leakage Vulnerability
  • CVE-2004-0427: The do_fork function in Linux 2.4.x before 2.4.26, and 2.6.x before 2.6.6, does not properly decrement the mm_count counter when an error occurs after the mm_struct for a child process has been activated, which triggers a memory leak that allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory exhaustion) via the clone (CLONE_VM) system call.
  • DSA-1067: kernel-source-2.4.16 -- several vulnerabilities
  • DSA-1069: kernel-source-2.4.18 -- several vulnerabilities
  • DSA-1070: kernel-source-2.4.19 -- several vulnerabilities
  • DSA-1082: kernel-source-2.4.17 -- several vulnerabilities
  • GLSA-200407-02: Linux Kernel: Multiple vulnerabilities
  • MDKSA-2004:037: Updated kernel packages fix multiple vulnerabilities
  • RHSA-2004-255: kernel security update
  • RHSA-2004-327: kernel security update
  • SA11429: Linux Kernel setsockopt MCAST_MSFILTER Integer Overflow Vulnerability
  • SA11464: Linux Kernel CPUFREQ Proc Handler Kernel Memory Disclosure Vulnerability
  • SA11486: Linux Kernel Framebuffer Driver Direct Userspace Access Vulnerability
  • SA11861: Linux Kernel "__clear_fpu()" Macro Denial of Service Vulnerability
  • SA11891: Linux Kernel Various Drivers Userland Pointer Dereference Vulnerabilities
  • SUSE-SA:2004:010: Linux Kernel: privilege escalation local DoS

Platforms Affected:

  • Conectiva Linux 8.0
  • Conectiva Linux 9.0
  • Debian Debian Linux 3.0
  • FedoraProject Fedora Core 1
  • Gentoo Linux
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.0
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.1
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.10
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.11
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.12
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.13
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.14
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.15
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.16
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.17
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.18
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.19
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.2
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.20
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.21
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.22
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.23
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.24
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.25
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.3
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.4
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.5
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.6
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.7
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.8
  • Linux Kernel 2.4.9
  • Linux Kernel 2.6.0
  • Linux Kernel 2.6.1
  • Linux Kernel 2.6.2
  • Linux Kernel 2.6.3
  • Linux Kernel 2.6.4
  • Linux Kernel 2.6.5
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 10.0
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 9.1 PPC
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 9.1
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 9.2 AMD64
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 9.2
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 2.1
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 2.1 X86_64
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Multi Network Firewall 8.2
  • Novell SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7.0
  • Novell UnitedLinux 1.0
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 2.1 ES
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 2.1 AS
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 2.1 WS
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 2.1 AW
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 3 AS
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 3 Desktop
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 3 ES
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 3 WS
  • RedHat Linux 3.0
  • RedHat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 Itanium
  • SUSE SuSE Linux 8.1
  • SUSE SuSE Linux 9.0
  • SuSE SuSE Linux Connectivity Server
  • SuSE SuSE Linux Database Server
  • SuSE SuSE Linux Desktop 1.0
  • SuSE SuSE Linux Office Server
  • Turbolinux Turbolinux 10 Desktop
  • Turbolinux Turbolinux 7 Server
  • Turbolinux Turbolinux 7 Workstation
  • Turbolinux Turbolinux 8 Server
  • Turbolinux Turbolinux 8 Workstation
  • Turbolinux Turbolinux Appliance Server 1.0
  • Turbolinux Turbolinux Appliance Server 1.0 Hosting Ed
  • Turbolinux Turbolinux Appliance Server 1.0 Workgroup Ed

Reported:

Apr 22, 2004

The information within this database may change without notice. Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. In no event shall the author/distributor (IBM Internet Security Systems X-Force) be held liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or spread of this information.

For corrections or additions please email xforce@iss.net

Return to the main page