#VU99977 Improper privilege management in Linux kernel - CVE-2003-0018

Vulnerability identifier: #VU99977

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 1.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2003-0018

CWE-ID: CWE-269

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 read memory contents or crash the application.

Linux kernel 2.4.10 through 2.4.21-pre4 does not properly handle the O_DIRECT feature, which allows local attackers with write privileges to read portions of previously deleted files, or cause file system corruption.

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-2.4/cset@3e2f193drGJDBg9SG6JwaDQwCBnAMQ
https://www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-358
https://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-423
https://www.iss.net/security_center/static/11249.php
https://www.mandrakesoft.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2003:014
https://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-025.html
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/6763

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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.