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Security update for kernel-ppc64

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(Last modified: 11APR2003)


solutions Security update for kernel-ppc64 SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (a9a055b71c8c9948ae106b0fce409602)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IBM iSeries and IBM pSeries

Package: kernel-ppc64
Release: 20030411
Obsoletes: none

Indications

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

Problem 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
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. This package is intended for iSeries machines only. If you have an pSeries machine please use kernel-ppc64 instead.
In addition the following bugs are fixed:
  • made nfs over udp more reliable (see corresponding SDB article for details)
  • fixed problems with stability of nfs over tcp
  • add ability to set ip-fragment timeout value per route (better safety for NFS over UDP)
  • added various jfs fixes
  • IPC calls reads are now reading the correct buffer length back after a write succeeded.
  • better support for matrox dualhead cards, correct mirroring
  • update in acenic driver
  • fix 'lvm-mpd' panic
  • fix the GLIBC test-fenv testcase
  • eject function for iSeries viotape driver (#23736) LTC2020
  • read lost boot hints for PReP boot loader
  • fix machine check handler path to close a timing window.
  • release semaphore on error path in viotape
  • improve reset button support for entering KDB
  • add iSeries DABR interface; add parens for PAGE defines
  • fix endian bug in multicast group handling
  • fix dead veth on iSeries when power down remote partition
  • fix hang on iSeries virtual CD (dvd-ram)
  • performance improvement for iSeries virtual CD
  • various minor bugfixes

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 -Uvh kernel-ppc64.rpm
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

links to download packages

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.


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