Linux 2.4 Kernel execve() System Call Race Condition Vulnerability

BID:8042

Info

Linux 2.4 Kernel execve() System Call Race Condition Vulnerability

Bugtraq ID: 8042
Class: Race Condition Error
CVE: CVE-2003-0462
Remote: No
Local: Yes
Published: Jun 26 2003 12:00AM
Updated: Jul 11 2009 10:56PM
Credit: The discovery of this vulnerability has been credited to Paul Starzetz <[email protected]>.
Vulnerable: RedHat Linux Advanced Work Station 2.1
RedHat kernel-utils-2.4-8.29.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
RedHat kernel-utils-2.4-8.13.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-utils-2.4-7.4.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-uml-2.4.18-14.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-source-2.4.7-10.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat kernel-source-2.4.20-8.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
RedHat kernel-source-2.4.2-2.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.1
RedHat kernel-source-2.4.18-3.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-source-2.4.18-14.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.7-10.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.7-10.i586.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.7-10.athlon.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.20-8.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.20-8.athlon.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.2-2.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.1
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.2-2.i586.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.1
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.18-3.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.18-3.i586.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.18-3.athlon.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.18-14.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-smp-2.4.18-14.athlon.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-headers-2.4.7-10.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat kernel-headers-2.4.2-2.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.1
RedHat kernel-enterprise-2.4.2-2.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.1
RedHat kernel-doc-2.4.7-10.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat kernel-doc-2.4.20-8.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
RedHat kernel-doc-2.4.2-2.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.1
RedHat kernel-doc-2.4.18-3.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-doc-2.4.18-14.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-debug-2.4.18-3.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-debug-2.4.18-14.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-BOOT-2.4.7-10.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat kernel-BOOT-2.4.20-8.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
RedHat kernel-BOOT-2.4.2-2.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.1
RedHat kernel-BOOT-2.4.18-3.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-BOOT-2.4.18-14.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-bigmem-2.4.20-8.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
RedHat kernel-bigmem-2.4.18-3.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-bigmem-2.4.18-14.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-2.4.7-10.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat kernel-2.4.7-10.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat kernel-2.4.7-10.athlon.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
RedHat kernel-2.4.20-8.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
RedHat kernel-2.4.20-8.i586.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
RedHat kernel-2.4.20-8.athlon.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
RedHat kernel-2.4.2-2.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.1
RedHat kernel-2.4.2-2.i586.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.1
RedHat kernel-2.4.2-2.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.1
RedHat kernel-2.4.18-3.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-2.4.18-3.i386.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-2.4.18-3.athlon.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
RedHat kernel-2.4.18-14.i686.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-2.4.18-14.i586.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat kernel-2.4.18-14.athlon.rpm
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
RedHat Enterprise Linux WS 2.1 IA64
RedHat Enterprise Linux WS 2.1
RedHat Enterprise Linux ES 2.1 IA64
RedHat Enterprise Linux ES 2.1
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1 IA64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1
Mandriva Linux Mandrake 9.0
Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.2 ppc
Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.2
MandrakeSoft Multi Network Firewall 2.0
MandrakeSoft Corporate Server 2.1
Linux kernel 2.4.21
+ Conectiva Linux 9.0
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 9.1 ppc
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 9.1
+ Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 3
+ RedHat Desktop 3.0
+ RedHat Enterprise Linux ES 3
+ RedHat Enterprise Linux WS 3
+ S.u.S.E. Linux Personal 9.0 x86_64
+ S.u.S.E. Linux Personal 9.0
+ SuSE SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8
Linux kernel 2.4.20
+ CRUX CRUX Linux 1.0
+ Gentoo Linux 1.4
+ Gentoo Linux 1.2
+ RedHat Linux 9.0 i386
+ Slackware Linux 9.0
+ WOLK WOLK 4.4 s
Linux kernel 2.4.19
+ Conectiva Linux 8.0
+ Conectiva Linux Enterprise Edition 1.0
+ MandrakeSoft Corporate Server 2.1 x86_64
+ MandrakeSoft Corporate Server 2.1
+ MandrakeSoft Multi Network Firewall 2.0
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 9.0
+ S.u.S.E. Linux 8.1
+ Slackware Linux -current
+ SuSE SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8
+ SuSE SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 7
Linux kernel 2.4.18
+ Astaro Security Linux 2.0 23
+ Astaro Security Linux 2.0 16
+ Debian Linux 3.0 sparc
+ Debian Linux 3.0 s/390
+ Debian Linux 3.0 ppc
+ Debian Linux 3.0 mipsel
+ Debian Linux 3.0 mips
+ Debian Linux 3.0 m68k
+ Debian Linux 3.0 ia-64
+ Debian Linux 3.0 ia-32
+ Debian Linux 3.0 hppa
+ Debian Linux 3.0 arm
+ Debian Linux 3.0 alpha
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.2
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.1
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.0
+ Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1 IA64
+ RedHat Advanced Workstation for the Itanium Processor 2.1 IA64
+ RedHat Advanced Workstation for the Itanium Processor 2.1
+ RedHat Linux 8.0
+ RedHat Linux 7.3
+ S.u.S.E. Linux 8.1
+ S.u.S.E. Linux 8.0
+ S.u.S.E. Linux 7.3
+ S.u.S.E. Linux 7.2
+ S.u.S.E. Linux 7.1
+ S.u.S.E. Linux Connectivity Server
+ S.u.S.E. Linux Database Server 0
+ S.u.S.E. Linux Firewall on CD
+ S.u.S.E. Linux Office Server
+ S.u.S.E. Linux Openexchange Server
+ S.u.S.E. Linux Personal 8.2
+ S.u.S.E. SuSE eMail Server 3.1
+ S.u.S.E. SuSE eMail Server III
+ SuSE SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 8
+ SuSE SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 7
+ Turbolinux Turbolinux Server 8.0
+ Turbolinux Turbolinux Server 7.0
+ Turbolinux Turbolinux Workstation 8.0
+ Turbolinux Turbolinux Workstation 7.0
Linux kernel 2.4.17
Linux kernel 2.4.16
+ Sun Cobalt RaQ 550
Linux kernel 2.4.15
Linux kernel 2.4.14
Linux kernel 2.4.13
+ Caldera OpenLinux Server 3.1.1
+ Caldera OpenLinux Workstation 3.1.1
Linux kernel 2.4.12
+ Conectiva Linux 7.0
Linux kernel 2.4.11
Linux kernel 2.4.10
+ S.u.S.E. Linux 7.3
Linux kernel 2.4.9
+ Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1 IA64
+ Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1
+ RedHat Enterprise Linux ES 2.1 IA64
+ RedHat Enterprise Linux ES 2.1
+ RedHat Enterprise Linux WS 2.1 IA64
+ RedHat Enterprise Linux WS 2.1
+ RedHat Linux 7.2 ia64
+ RedHat Linux 7.2 i386
+ RedHat Linux 7.2 alpha
+ RedHat Linux 7.1 ia64
+ RedHat Linux 7.1 i386
+ RedHat Linux 7.1 alpha
+ Sun Linux 5.0.5
+ Sun Linux 5.0.3
+ Sun Linux 5.0
Linux kernel 2.4.8
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.2
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.1
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.0
Linux kernel 2.4.7
+ RedHat Linux 7.2
+ S.u.S.E. Linux 7.2
+ S.u.S.E. Linux 7.1
Linux kernel 2.4.6
Linux kernel 2.4.5
+ Slackware Linux 8.0
Linux kernel 2.4.4
+ S.u.S.E. Linux 7.2
Linux kernel 2.4.3
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.0 ppc
+ Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.0
Linux kernel 2.4.2
+ Caldera OpenLinux Server 3.1
+ Caldera OpenLinux Workstation 3.1
+ RedHat Linux 7.1 i386
+ RedHat Linux 7.1 alpha
Linux kernel 2.4.1
Linux kernel 2.4
Not Vulnerable:

Discussion

Linux 2.4 Kernel execve() System Call Race Condition Vulnerability

A race condition vulnerability has been discovered in the Linux execve() system call, affecting the 2.4 kernel tree. The problem lies in the atomicity of placing a target executables file descriptor within the current process descriptor and executing the file.

An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain read access to a setuid binary that would otherwise be unreadable. Although unconfirmed, it may also be possible for an attacker to write code to a target executable, making it theoretically possible to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Exploit / POC

Linux 2.4 Kernel execve() System Call Race Condition Vulnerability

The following proof of concept exploit has been made available:

Solution / Fix

Linux 2.4 Kernel execve() System Call Race Condition Vulnerability

Solution:
Debian has released an advisory (DSA 423-1) that addresses the issue that is described in this BID for the IA-64 architecture. Further details regarding obtaining and applying fixes can be found in the referenced advisory.

Debian has released an advisory (DSA 358-1) that addresses these issues. Details on obtaining and applying fixes can be found in the referenced advisory.

Debian has also released an updated advisory DSA 358-4. Details concerning obtaining and applying fixes can be found in the referenced advisory.

Mandrake Linux have released a security advisory (MDKSA-2003:074) to address this issue. Further details regarding downloading and applying these fixes can be found in the referenced advisory. Fixes are linked below.

Red Hat has released an advisory (RHSA-2003:238-01) that addresses this and a number of other vulnerabilities. Please see the attached advisory for details on obtaining and applying fixes.

Guardian Digital has released advisory ESA-20032407-018 to address this issue. See referenced advisory for additional information.

Conectiva has released an advisory (CLSA-2003:712) that provides kernel updates for CLEE. Please see the attached advisory for details for obtaining and applying updates.

SuSE has released advisory SuSE-SA:2003:034 to address this issue. Specific update information has been made available. Refer to the referenced advisory for additional details.

Gentoo has released advisory 200308-01 to address this issue. Affected users are advised to execute the following commands:

emerge sync
emerge gentoo-sources
emerge clean

Red Hat has released an advisory (RHSA-2003:198-16) containing updated IA64 fixes for Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (v. 2.1) and Red Hat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 for the Itanium Processor. These fixes are only available through the Red Hat Network which can be found at http://rhn.redhat.com/.

Red Hat has also released an advisory (RHSA-2003-239) containing kernel fixes for Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS, ES, and WS(v. 2.1). These fixes are also only available through the Red Hat Network which can be found at http://rhn.redhat.com/.

Turbolinux has released an advisory with fixes in order to address this and other issues.

RHBA-2003:263-05 (for non-Enterprise Red Hat distributions) has been released to address unrelated bugs but provides Kernel updates that include more recent fixes for this and other security vulnerabilities.

Conectiva has released a security advisory (CLA-2003:796) containing fixes to address this issue in Conectiva Linux 8.


Redhat kernel-2.4.18-3.i686.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.2-2.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-source-2.4.18-14.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-bigmem-2.4.18-14.i686.rpm

Redhat kernel-BOOT-2.4.7-10.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-doc-2.4.2-2.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.20-8.athlon.rpm

Redhat kernel-source-2.4.2-2.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.7-10.athlon.rpm

Redhat kernel-doc-2.4.18-3.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-BOOT-2.4.20-8.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.20-8.i586.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.7-10.i686.rpm

Redhat kernel-bigmem-2.4.20-8.i686.rpm

Redhat kernel-source-2.4.20-8.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.20-8.i686.rpm

Redhat kernel-BOOT-2.4.18-3.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-doc-2.4.18-14.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-BOOT-2.4.2-2.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.7-10.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.18-3.athlon.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.18-3.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-bigmem-2.4.18-3.i686.rpm

Redhat kernel-source-2.4.7-10.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.18-14.i586.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.18-14.i686.rpm

Redhat kernel-doc-2.4.20-8.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-BOOT-2.4.18-14.i386.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.18-14.athlon.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.2-2.i686.rpm

Redhat kernel-2.4.2-2.i586.rpm

Redhat kernel-doc-2.4.7-10.i386.rpm

MandrakeSoft Multi Network Firewall 2.0

MandrakeSoft Corporate Server 2.1

Linux kernel 2.4.18

Linux kernel 2.4.19

Linux kernel 2.4.20

Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.2

Mandriva Linux Mandrake 8.2 ppc

References

Linux 2.4 Kernel execve() System Call Race Condition Vulnerability

References:

© CVE.report 2026

Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. It is the responsibility of user to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other content. EACH USER WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY consequences of his or her direct or indirect use of this web site. ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. This site will NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT or any other kind of loss.

CVE, CWE, and OVAL are registred trademarks of The MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of CVE content is MITRE's CVE web site. This site includes MITRE data granted under the following license.

Free CVE JSON API cve.report/api

CVE.report and Source URL Uptime Status status.cve.report