Linux Kernel mq_open mnt_count double decrement denial of service

kernel-double-decrement-dos (25302) The risk level is classified as LowLow Risk

Description:

Linux Kernel is vulnerable to a denial of service, caused by an unspecified vulnerability in the mq_open system call that could cause mnt_count value to be decremented twice. A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability by making multiple calls to the mntput function to cause a kernel panic.

*CVSS:

Base Score: 3.5
  Access Vector: Local
  Access Complexity: Low
  Authentication: Not Required
  Confidentiality Impact: None
  Integrity Impact: None
  Availability Impact: Complete
 
Temporal Score: 2.6
  Exploitability: Unproven
  Remediation Level: Official-Fix
  Report Confidence: Confirmed

Consequences:

Denial of Service

Remedy:

Upgrade to the latest stable version of Linux Kernel (2.6.15.6 or later), available from The Linux Kernel Archives. See References.

For Debian GNU/Linux:
Refer to DSA-1017-1 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Red Hat Linux:
Refer to RHSA-2006:0101-9 for upgrade information. See References.

For SUSE Linux:
Refer to SUSE Security Announcement SUSE-SA:2006:006 for upgrade information. See References.

For Mandrivalinux:
Refer to Mandriva Security Advisory MDKSA-2006:040 for upgrade information. See References.

For Ubuntu:
Refer to USN-244-1 for upgrade information. See References.

For other distributions:
Contact your vendor for upgrade information.

References:

  • Red Hat Bugzilla Bug 169130: CVE-2005-3356 double decrement of mqueue_mnt->mnt_count in sys_mq_open.
  • The Linux Kernel Archives Web site: The Linux Kernel Archives.
  • BID-16283: Linux Kernel mq_open System Call Unspecified Denial of Service Vulnerability
  • CVE-2005-3356: The mq_open system call in Linux kernel 2.6.9, in certain situations, can decrement a counter twice (double decrement) as a result of multiple calls to the mntput function when the dentry_open function call fails, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via unspecified attack vectors.
  • DSA-1017: kernel-source-2.6.8 -- several vulnerabilities
  • MDKSA-2006:040: Updated kernel packages fix multiple vulnerabilities
  • RHSA-2006-0101: kernel security update
  • SUSE-SA:2006:006: kernel remote denial of service attack
  • USN-244-1: Linux kernel vulnerabilities

Platforms Affected:

  • Canonical Ubuntu 4.10
  • Canonical Ubuntu 5.04
  • Canonical Ubuntu 5.10
  • Debian Debian Linux 3.1
  • Linux Kernel 2.6.9
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2006 X86_64
  • MandrakeSoft Mandrake Linux 2006
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 3 ES
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 WS
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 AS
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 Desktop
  • RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 ES
  • SUSE SuSE Linux 10.0
  • SUSE SuSE Linux 9.2

Reported:

Sep 23, 2005

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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 IBM 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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