#VU95477 Missing release of memory after effective lifetime in Linux kernel - CVE-2004-2660

Vulnerability identifier: #VU95477

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 4.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2004-2660

CWE-ID: CWE-401

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 perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.

Memory leak in direct-io.c in Linux kernel 2.6.x before 2.6.10 allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via certain O_DIRECT (direct IO) write requests. This vulnerability is addressed in the following product release: Linux, Linux kernel, 2.6.10

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's repository.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: All versions

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External links
https://linux.bkbits.net:8080/linux-2.6/cset@4182a613oVsK0-8eCWpyYFrUf8rhLA
https://secunia.com/advisories/21605
https://secunia.com/advisories/22093
https://secunia.com/advisories/22174
https://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2006-203.htm
https://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-1184
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/ChangeLog-2.6.10
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2006-0617.html
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/19665
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10165

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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.