#VU95211 Information exposure in Linux kernel - CVE-2007-6417

Vulnerability identifier: #VU95211

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2007-6417

CWE-ID: CWE-200

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to execute arbitrary code.

The shmem_getpage function (mm/shmem.c) in Linux kernel 2.6.11 through 2.6.23 does not properly clear allocated memory in some rare circumstances related to tmpfs, which might allow local users to read sensitive kernel data or cause a denial of service (crash).

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's repository.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: All versions

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External links
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2008-02/msg00002.html
https://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=119627664702379&w=2
https://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=119743651829347&w=2
https://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=119769771026243&w=2
https://osvdb.org/44120
https://secunia.com/advisories/28141
https://secunia.com/advisories/28706
https://secunia.com/advisories/28806
https://secunia.com/advisories/28971
https://secunia.com/advisories/32023
https://www.debian.org/security/2007/dsa-1436
https://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:086
https://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:112
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0885.html
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/27694
https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-574-1
https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-578-1
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A8920

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.