Linux kernel spawning race condition

linux-spawning-race-condition (17151) The risk level is classified as MediumMedium Risk

Description:

Linux kernel could allow a local attacker to obtain sensitive information, caused by a race condition with the cmdline node when a process is spawning. A local unauthorized attacker could use this vulnerability to read a process's environment variables.

Platforms Affected:

  • Canonical, Ubuntu 4.10
  • Debian, Debian Linux 3.1
  • Gentoo, Linux
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test5
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test4
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test11
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test10
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test6
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test7
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test8
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.0 test9
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.1 rc1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.1 rc2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.1 rc3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.10 rc3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.10 rc1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.10
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.10 rc2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.2 rc2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.2 rc3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.2 rc1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.3 rc2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.3 rc3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.3 rc4
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.3 rc1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.4
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.4 rc3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.4 rc2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.4 rc1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.5 rc1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.5 rc3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.5 rc2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.5
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.6 rc1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.6 rc3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.6 rc2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.6
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.7 rc2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.7 rc1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.7 rc3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.7
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.8 rc1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.8
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.8 rc2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.8 rc3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.8 rc4
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.8.1
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.9
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.9 rc4
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.9 rc2
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.9 rc3
  • Linux, Kernel 2.6.9 rc1
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 10.0
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 10.0 AMD64
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 10.1 X86_64
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 10.1
  • 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 Linux Corporate Server 3.0
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Multi Network Firewall 8.2
  • RedHat, Enterprise Linux 2.1 WS
  • RedHat, Enterprise Linux 2.1 AS
  • RedHat, Enterprise Linux 2.1 ES
  • RedHat, Enterprise Linux 3 WS
  • RedHat, Enterprise Linux 3 ES
  • RedHat, Enterprise Linux 3 AS
  • RedHat, Enterprise Linux 3 Desktop
  • RedHat, Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 Itanium
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 10 Desktop
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 10 F...
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 10 Server
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 7 Server
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 7 Workstation
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 8 Server
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux 8 Workstation
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux Home
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux Appliance Server 1.0 Hosting Ed
  • Turbolinux, Turbolinux Appliance Server 1.0 Workgroup Ed

Remedy:

For Debian GNU/Linux:
Refer to DSA-1018-2 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Gentoo Linux:
Upgrade to the latest version of kernel, as listed in GLSA 200408-24. See References.

For Ubuntu Linux:
Upgrade to the latest linux-image package (2.6.8.1-16.3 or later), as listed in USN-38-1 December 14, 2004 for more information. See References.

For Red Hat Linux:
Refer to RHSA-2005:293-16, RHSA-2006:0190-5, or RHSA-2006:0191-9 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

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

Consequences:

Obtain Information

References:

  • BID-11052: Linux Kernel Process Spawning Race Condition Environment Variable Disclosure Vulnerability
  • BID-11937: Linux Kernel PROC Filesystem Local Information Disclosure Vulnerability
  • CVE-2004-1058: Race condition in Linux kernel 2.6 allows local users to read the environment variables of another process that is still spawning via /proc/.../cmdline.
  • DSA-1018: kernel-source-2.4.27 -- several vulnerabilities
  • GLSA-200408-24: Linux Kernel: Multiple information leaks
  • MDKSA-2005:022: Updated kernel packages fix multiple vulnerabilities
  • RHSA-2005-293: kernel security update
  • RHSA-2006-0190: kernel security update
  • RHSA-2006-0191: kernel security update
  • SA19607: SGI ProPack kernel Multiple Vulnerabilities
  • SA21476: Linux Kernel Multiple Vulnerabilities

Reported:

Aug 25, 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.

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