Race Condition Vulnerability in Linux Kernel - CVE-2007-4774
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2007-4774: The Linux kernel before 2.4.36-rc1 has a race condition. Affects linux versions 3.11.0-12.19 – 3.13.0-98.145. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of Linux operating systems, responsible for managing hardware resources and providing essential services to software applications. It is widely used in various distributions, including Ubuntu. The kernel's functionality includes process management, memory management, and device control. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2007-4774, exposes the kernel to a race condition that can be exploited to bypass security policies.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from a race condition in the Linux kernel prior to version 2.4.36-rc1. An attacker can exploit this flaw by flooding a ptraced process with SIGCONT signals, which can wake up the process and potentially bypass systrace policies. This could lead to unauthorized access or manipulation of processes, posing a significant security risk to systems running affected versions of the kernel.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can limit the use of ptrace or implement stricter controls on processes that can be ptraced. This may involve modifying system configurations or using security modules to enforce stricter access controls.
Conclusion
CVE-2007-4774 is a significant vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can lead to security breaches if not addressed. Users are strongly encouraged to update their kernel to the latest patched version to mitigate risks. Implementing temporary workarounds can provide additional protection until a full update is feasible.
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FAQ
CVE-2007-4774 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that allows attackers to bypass security policies through a race condition.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
The CVSS score of CVE-2007-4774 is 5.9, indicating a medium severity level.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider implementing stricter access controls on ptraced processes as a temporary workaround.
You can find more information about Linux kernel vulnerabilities on the official Linux kernel website and security advisories from your Linux distribution.
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