Security update for kernel-iseries64, kernel-ppc64 and kernel-source

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 08DEC2003)

solutions Security update for kernel-iseries64, kernel-ppc64 and kernel-source SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (46625a89427739fce3bde208c4820133)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for PowerPC

Package: kernel-iseries64
kernel-ppc64
kernel-source
Release: 20031208
Obsoletes: none

Indications

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

Problem description

This update fixes the following security problem:
CAN-2003-0961:

A flaw in bounds checking in the brk system call handler, do_brk(), in Linux kernels prior to 2.4.23 can allow a local user to gain root privileges.

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.

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 -Fvh kernel-iseries64.rpm


rpm -Fvh kernel-ppc64.rpm

You can find out which package you need by issuing the command:


rpm -qf /boot/vmlinuz

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

Optionally you may also install the kernel sources with


rpm -Fvh kernel-source.rpm

links to download packages

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for PowerPC (ppc)

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.

Disclaimer

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