Vulnerability in systemd - Denial of Service (DLA-659-1)

systemd Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

17/10/2016
N/A
Yes i
Unrated
Not published

DLA-659-1: systemd - security update. Affects systemd versions < 44-11+deb7u5. Fixed in 44-11+deb7u5. How to fix ↓

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Background

systemd is a system and service manager for Linux operating systems. It provides a range of features such as process management, logging, and device management. This vulnerability affects systemd in Debian 7 Wheezy. Debian is a popular Linux distribution known for its stability and security. The vulnerability allows local users to cause a denial of service by sending a zero-length message over a notify socket, resulting in a system hang.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2016-7796, resides in the manager_dispatch_notify_fd function of systemd. When a zero-length message is received over a notify socket, an error is returned, and the notification handler is disabled. This can lead to a denial of service, causing the system to hang. An attacker with local access can exploit this vulnerability to disrupt the normal functioning of the affected system.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

44-11+deb7u5

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade systemd

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Workaround

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is necessary to apply the security update to mitigate the risk.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the vulnerability in systemd allows local users to cause a denial of service by exploiting a zero-length message received over a notify socket. To mitigate this risk, it is crucial to upgrade the systemd package to version 44-11+deb7u5 or later. No known workarounds are available for this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

systemd is a system and service manager for Linux operating systems. It provides various features such as process management, logging, and device management.

This vulnerability allows local users to cause a denial of service by sending a zero-length message over a notify socket, resulting in a system hang.

To fix this vulnerability, you need to upgrade the systemd package to version 44-11+deb7u5 or later. This can be done by updating the package using the package manager of the Debian 7 Wheezy system.

No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is necessary to apply the security update to mitigate the risk.

You can find more information about Debian LTS security advisories, including how to apply updates and frequently asked questions, at the following link: https://wiki.debian.org/LTS

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for systemd.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

44-11+deb7u5

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade systemd

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