Security update for Linux kernel (kernel-source)

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 24MAR2003)

solutions Security update for Linux kernel (kernel-source) SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (572ed6c9ce7d1b46a25fe06d664f9b06)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for x86
SuSE Linux Openexchange Server 4

Package: kernel-source
Release: 20030324
Obsoletes: none

Indications

This patch updates your kernel-source package and is only necessary if you compile your own kernel.

Contraindications

None.

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 >/proc/sys/kernel/modprobe

Solution

Please note that this update concerns the package kernel-source. It does not directly fix the vulnerability, but it provides the kernel sources for administrators who wish to compile their kernel on their own. The fixed binary kernel RPM packages are contained in different patches.

Installation notes

This update is provided as an RPM package that can easily be installed onto a running system by using these commands:
rpm -Uvh kernel-source.rpm

links to download packages

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.

Disclaimer

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