Security update for kernel

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 25MAY2005)

solutions Security update for kernel SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (8a7a62bd2689c5729cb258075912cd07)

Applies to

Package: kernel-s390
kernel-source
kernel-syms
Product(s): SUSE CORE 9 for IBM S/390 31bit
Patch: patch-10063
Release: 20050525
Obsoletes: 6a60dcc7566d6e55e403322b85680b5a

Indications

Everyone using the Linux Kernel should update.

Problem description

This update fixes the following security problems:

when creating directories on ext2 filesystems the kernel did not zero initialize the memory allocated. Therefore potentially sensitive information could be exposed to users (CAN-2005-0400).
local users can crash the kernel via a crafted ELF library or executable, which causes a free of an invalid pointer (CAN-2005-0749).
local users could gain root access by causing a core dump of specially crafted ELF executables (CAN-2005-1263). The problem is believed to be not exploitable on kernel 2.6, we included the patch nevertheless.

This update also addresses the following non-security problems:

fix NFS corrupting renamed files
fix Oops in acl code
fix building the kernel package with the 'build' program
fix performance problems due to inode cache size
fix potential deadlock when renaming files

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.
rpm -Fvh kernel-s390.rpm kernel-syms.rpm
zipl
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 9 for IBM S/390 31bit (s390)

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.