Security update for Linux kernel

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 16JUN2004)

solutions Security update for Linux kernel SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (491c188aa1320d8bee4b914e270b605b)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for AMD64

Package: k_deflt
k_numa
k_smp
kernel-source
Release: 20040616
Obsoletes: none

Indications

Everyone using the Linux Kernel on x86_64 architecture should update.

Contraindications

None.

Problem description

Local users can use a simple C program to trigger an endless loop with floating point exceptions, thereby causing a local denial of service attack. On single processor systems, this will result in a system halt, while on SMP systems only one processor freezes with each instance of the attack.
The vulnerability is of considerably moderate severity, especially if compared to privilege escalation vulnerabilities or other vulnerabilities that do not need post-authenticated local shell access to the system like the vulnerability needs that is subject to this update. However, it is recommended to install the update on every affected system, taking into account that a local denial of service may introduce a security relevant risk to a network if exploited. Please make sure to reboot the system after successful application of the update to make the changes to the system effective.

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 -Fvh k_deflt-2.4.*.rpm for the default kernel image, or
rpm -Fhv k_smp-2.4.*.rpm for the SMP kernel image, or
rpm -Fhv k_numa-2.4.*.rpm for the NUMA kernel image

(N.B.: only install one of these kernels, not all of them.)
Finally, reboot the system with


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 8 for AMD64 (x86_64)

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.

Disclaimer

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