ptrace in Linux 2.2.x through 2.2.19, and 2.4.x through 2.4.9, allows local users to gain root privileges by running ptrace on a setuid or setgid program that itself calls an unprivileged program, such as newgrp.

Alexander Viro discovered a vulnerability in the devfs implementation that is shipped with Mandrake Linux 8.1. We are aware of the problem and are currently working on a solution. As a workaround, until an update becomes available, please boot with the devfs=nomount option.

Rafal Wojtczuk found a vulnerability in the 2.2.19 and 2.4.11 Linux kernels with the ptrace code and deeply nested symlinks spending an arbitrary amount of time in the kernel code. The ptrace vulnerability could be used by local users to gain root privilege, the symlink vulnerability could result in a local DoS.

There is an additional vulnerability in the kernel's syncookie code which could potentially allow a remote attacker to guess the cookie and bypass existing firewall rules. The discovery was found by Manfred Spraul and Andi Kleen.

Update :

The previous advisory was missing the md5sums for the lm_utils packages. The md5sums are now included in the package list.

NOTE: This update is *not* meant to be done via MandrakeUpdate! You must download the necessary RPMs and upgrade manually by following these steps :

1. Type: rpm -ivh kernel-[version].i586.rpm 2. Type: mv kernel-[version].i586.rpm /tmp 3. Type: rpm -Fvh *.rpm 4a. You may wish to edit /etc/lilo.conf to ensure a new entry is in place. The new kernel will be the last entry. Change any options you need to change.
You will also want to create a new entry with the initrd and image directives pointing to the old kernel's vmlinuz and initrd images so you may also boot from the old images if required. 4b. PPC users must execute some additional instructions. First edit /etc/yaboot.conf and add a new entry for the kernel and change any options that you need to change. You must also create a new initrd image to enable USB support for keyboards and mice by typing: mkinitrd --with=usb-ohci /boot/initrd-2.4.8-31.3mdk 2.4.8-31.3mdk 5a. If you use lilo, type:
/sbin/lilo -v 5b. If you use GRUB, type: sh /boot/grub/install.sh 5c.
PPC users must type: /sbin/ybin -v

You may then reboot and use the new kernel and remove the older kernel when you are comfortable using the upgraded one.

Rafal Wojtczuk found a vulnerability in the 2.2.19 and 2.4.11 Linux kernels with the ptrace code and deeply nested symlinks spending an arbitrary amount of time in the kernel code. The ptrace vulnerability could be used by local users to gain root privilege, the symlink vulnerability could result in a local DoS.

Update :

There is an additional vulnerability in the kernel's syncookie code which could potentially allow a remote attacker to guess the cookie and bypass existing firewall rules. The discovery was found by Manfred Spraul and Andi Kleen.

NOTE: This update is *not* meant to be done via MandrakeUpdate! You must download the necessary RPMs and upgrade manually by following these steps :

1. Type: rpm -ivh kernel-[version].i586.rpm 2. Type: mv kernel-[version].i586.rpm /tmp 3. Type: rpm -Fvh *.rpm 4a. You may wish to edit /etc/lilo.conf to ensure a new entry is in place. The new kernel will be the last entry. Change any options you need to change.
You will also want to create a new entry with the initrd and image directives pointing to the old kernel's vmlinuz and initrd images so you may also boot from the old images if required. 4b. PPC users must execute some additional instructions. First edit /etc/yaboot.conf and add a new entry for the kernel and change any options that you need to change. You must also create a new initrd image to enable USB support for keyboards and mice by typing: mkinitrd --with=usb-ohci /boot/initrd-2.2.19-19.1mdk 2.2.19-19.1mdk 5a. Type: /sbin/lilo -v 5b.
PPC users must type: /sbin/ybin -v

You may then reboot and use the new kernel and remove the older kernel when you are comfortable using the upgraded one.

ID	Name	Product	Family	Severity
14777	Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : kernel (MDKSA-2001:079-2)	Nessus	Mandriva Local Security Checks	high
13895	Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : kernel (MDKSA-2001:082-1)	Nessus	Mandriva Local Security Checks	high

Detections

Analytics

CVE-2001-1384

high

Tenable Plugins

high

high