Security update for Linux kernel

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 03MAY2004)

solutions Security update for Linux kernel SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (1df19edc01672567529a82f6cc58b987)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Firewall on CD 2 - VPN
SuSE Firewall on CD 2
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IA32
SuSE Linux Office Server

Package: k_deflt
k_psmp
k_smp
k_i386
kernel-source
Release: 20040503
Obsoletes: none

Indications

Everyone using the Linux Kernel on x86 architecture should update.

Contraindications

None.

Problem description

Various security related bugs have been fixed inside the Linux kernel which could allow local attackers to either elevate their privileges or to cause a DoS attack. The fixes consist of

a fix for the memleak in do_fork()
a fix for the buffer overflow in panic() (CAN-2004-0394)

Solution

Please install the updates provided at the location noted below.

Installation notes

This update is provided as an RPM package that can easily be installed onto a running system.
First, find out which kernel package to use, for example with


   rpm -qf /boot/vmlinuz

Download the kernel image fitting your setup and install it with either:

rpm -Fhv k_deflt.rpm for the default kernel, or
rpm -Fhv k_psmp.rpm for the PSMP kernel image, or
rpm -Fhv k_smp.rpm for the SMP kernel image, or
rpm -Fhv k_i386.rpm for the i386 kernel image

(Note: only install one of these kernels, not all of them).
The kernel sources can be installed using the following command:


   rpm -Uvh kernel-source.rpm

After performing the RPM package update of your kernel package, you must execute the following commands as root to make sure that your system will start up again:


   mk_initrd

   lilo

Note: If you do not execute the commands above, your system might be in an unbootable state. To ensure that the fixes become active, you should reboot your system usingthe command


   shutdown -r now

to load the new kernel (replace "now" with the appropriate amount of time to allow local users to cleanly log out, for example "+5" for five minutes.)

links to download packages

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IA32 (i386)

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.

Disclaimer

The Origin of this information may be internal or external to Novell. Novell makes all reasonable efforts to verify this information. However, the information provided in this document is for your information only. Novell makes no explicit or implied claims to the validity of this information.

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