Resource management error in Linux kernel

1) Resource management error

EUVDB-ID: #VU45299

Risk: Medium

CVSSv3.1: 5.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2011-0999

CWE-ID: CWE-399 - Resource Management Errors

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.

mm/huge_memory.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.38-rc5 does not prevent creation of a transparent huge page (THP) during the existence of a temporary stack for an exec system call, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted application.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 2.6.0 - 2.6.38

External links

http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=commit;h=a7d6e4ecdb7648478ddec76d30d87d03d6e22b31
http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/02/17/3
http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/02/17/6
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/testing/ChangeLog-2.6.38-rc5
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/46442
http://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=678209
http://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/65535

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

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