Security update for Linux kernel (k_debug, kernel-source)

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 30DEC2003)

solutions Security update for Linux kernel (k_debug, kernel-source) SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (beaed2f4513e03b76e02a72a130986a3)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Linux School Server for i386
SuSE Linux Standard Server 8
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for x86
SuSE Linux Openexchange Server 4

Package: kernel-source
k_debug
Release: 20031230
Obsoletes: none

Indications

Apply this update only if you are running the k_debug debug kernel package and allow shell access to non-root accounts or want to recompile the Linux kernel sources.

Description

With this patch we deliver the packages missing from patch "Security update for Linux kernel" (http://sdb.suse.de/en/psdb/html/513d19fdca08209fd14957910bfa46e9.html). We fixed the problem of RPM, hence the installation of kernel-source should work without any problems now. Please make sure that the "Recommended update for RPM" (http://sdb.suse.de/en/psdb/html/93ded478445297c0bbe32f72a1da1ac1.html) is installed before applying this patch.
Paul Starzetz of iSEC reported a vulnerability in the mremap system call, which allows local attackers to crash the machine, and even to obtain super user privileges under some circumstances. This update fixes the vulnerability.

Installation notes

For the k_debug kernel package
First, find out which kernel package to use, for example with
rpm -qf /boot/vmlinuz
In case you are running a different kernel than k_debug, please refer to article "Security update for Linux kernel" (http://sdb.suse.de/en/psdb/html/513d19fdca08209fd14957910bfa46e9.html). Proceed with these instructions only if you are using the k_debug kernel.
Download the kernel image from the location mentioned below and
install it with
rpm -Fvh k_debug-2.4.*.i586.rpm
In case you are using lilo, 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.)
For the kernel sources
This update does not directly fix the vulnerability, but it provides the kernel sources for occasions where a kernel with differnent settings needs to be compiled, e.g. for tracking certain events. To install, download the package kernel-source from the location mentioned below and run
rpm -Uvh kernel-source-2.4.*.i586.rpm

links to download packages

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.

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