Security update for kernel-source

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 11APR2003)

solutions Security update for kernel-source SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (3dd6d0bf897a0f13e2eb3d7349462273)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IBM iSeries and IBM pSeries

Package: kernel-source
Release: 20030411
Obsoletes: none

Indications

This update should be installed on all systems for security reasons.

Problem description

This update fixes a security vulnerability in the Linux kernel (CAN-2003-0127). The vulnerability allows a local unprivileged attacker to gain root privileges by using ptrace/strace in combination with automatic kernel module loading on request, also known as "kmod".
As a temporary workaround, it is possible to disable the automatic loading of kernel modules by running the following command as root:


echo /no/such/file &gt; /proc/sys/kernel/modprobe

Note: This is the kernel source code only. To fix the problem you have to install in addition the appropriate kernel binary rpm for your machine, either kernel-ppc64 on pSeries or kernel-iseries64 on an iSeries system
In addition the following bugs are fixed:

made nfs over udp more reliable (see corresponding SDB article for details)
fixed problems with stability of nfs over tcp
add ability to set ip-fragment timeout value per route (better safety for NFS over UDP)
added various jfs fixes
IPC calls reads are now reading the correct buffer length back after a write succeeded.
better support for matrox dualhead cards, correct mirroring
update in acenic driver
fix 'lvm-mpd' panic
fix the GLIBC test-fenv testcase
eject function for iSeries viotape driver (#23736) LTC2020
read lost boot hints for PReP boot loader
fix machine check handler path to close a timing window.
release semaphore on error path in viotape
improve reset button support for entering KDB
add iSeries DABR interface; add parens for PAGE defines
fix endian bug in multicast group handling
fix dead veth on iSeries when power down remote partition
fix hang on iSeries virtual CD (dvd-ram)
performance improvement for iSeries virtual CD
various minor bugfixes

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 by using this command:


rpm -Uvh kernel-source.rpm

links to download packages

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IBM iSeries and IBM pSeries (ppc)

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.

Any trademarks referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners. Consult your product manuals for complete trademark information.