Security update for Linux kernel

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 20JAN2005)

solutions Security update for Linux kernel SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (a119095a26a882ce898e6ee8dd3518c1)

Applies to

Package: k_athlon
k_deflt
k_psmp
k_smp
k_debug
kernel-source
Product(s): SUSE LINUX Retail Solution 8
SuSE Linux School Server for i386
SuSE Linux Standard Server 8
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for x86
SuSE Linux Openexchange Server 4
Patch: patch-9768
Release: 20050120
Obsoletes: ba7b20a1cb3edabd5225cf0c9bdf4450

Indications

Everyone using the Linux Kernel on x86 architecture should update.

Contraindications

None.

Problem description

This update fixes following security problems:

An unlocked VM operation could lead to a local user gaining root access using a handcrafted ELF binary and the uselib system call. This problem was found by Paul Starzetz and has been assigned the Mitre CVE ID CAN-2004-1235.
A race condition in the SMP page fault handler could lead to a local attacker gaining root access on SMP machines. This problem was also found by Paul Starzetz and has been assigned the Mitre CVE ID CAN-2005-001.
A problem in the earlier cmsg / sendmsg security fix was identified and fixed which could lead 32bit applications on a 64bit system (like i386 binaries on x86_64, or PowerPC binaries on a PowerPC64 system) to handle the sendmsg call incorrectly.
An incomplete fix of the IGMP problem in the last update was replaced by the final approved fix.

Additional bug fixes were done:

On the i386 platform, the LDT was not always cleared in the correct context.
A local denial of service against the auditing system was fixed.
IRQ safety issues in the gendisk layer were fixed.

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.*.i586.rpm for the default kernel image, or
rpm -Fhv k_athlon-2.4.*.i586.rpm for the AMD Athlon optimized kernel image, or
rpm -Fhv k_smp-2.4.*.i586.rpm for the SMP kernel image, or
rpm -Fhv k_psmp-2.4.*.i586.rpm for the PSMP kernel image

Please do only install one of these kernels, not all of them.
In case you are using LILO as bootmanager, please make sure that you also execute the command
lilo
after installing the update for the system to remain bootable.
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

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.