Linux Kernel 2.2.x/2.4.x ptrace memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel 2.2.x/2.4.x. It has been classified as very critical. This affects an unknown function of the component ptrace. This manipulation causes memory corruption. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2003-0127. The attack needs to be done within the local network. Furthermore, there is an exploit available. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel 2.2.x/2.4.x (Operating System). Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown code block of the component ptrace. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

The kernel module loader in Linux kernel 2.2.x before 2.2.25, and 2.4.x before 2.4.21, allows local users to gain root privileges by using ptrace to attach to a child process that is spawned by the kernel.

The weakness was shared 03/17/2003 by Andrzej Szombierski with Kernel.org (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at marc.theaimsgroup.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2003-0127 since 03/13/2003. Access to the local network is required for this attack. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

It is possible to download the exploit at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 15113 (Debian DSA-276-1 : linux-kernel-s390 - local privilege escalation), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Debian Local Security Checks. The security flaw can be detected with the following NASL code:

if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"kernel-headers-2.4.17", reference:"2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody1")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"kernel-headers-2.4.19", reference:"2.4.19-0.020911.1.woody1")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"kernel-image-2.4.17-r3k-kn02", reference:"2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody1")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"kernel-image-2.4.17-r4k-ip22", reference:"2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody1")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"kernel-image-2.4.17-r4k-kn04", reference:"2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody1")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"kernel-image-2.4.17-r5k-ip22", reference:"2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody1")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"kernel-image-2.4.19-r4k-ip22", reference:"2.4.19-0.020911.1.woody1")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"kernel-image-2.4.19-r5k-ip22", reference:"2.4.19-0.020911.1.woody1")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"kernel-patch-2.4.17-mips", reference:"2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody1")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"kernel-patch-2.4.19-mips", reference:"2.4.19-0.020911.1.woody1")) flag++;
if (deb_check(release:"3.0", prefix:"mips-tools", reference:"2.4.17-0.020226.2.woody1")) flag++;

if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:deb_report_get());
  else security_hole(0);
  exit(0);
}
The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 115010 (Red Hat Linux Kernel Privileged Process Hijacking Vulnerability).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at ftp.kernel.org.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (11553), Exploit-DB (3), Tenable (15113), SecurityFocus (BID 7112†) and OSVDB (4565†). Additional details are provided at securityfocus.com. The entry VDB-23 is related to this item. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.7

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.7
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
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Nessus ID: 15113
Nessus Name: Debian DSA-276-1 : linux-kernel-s390 - local privilege escalation
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 53757
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 270-1 (kernel-patch-2.4.17-mips, kernel-patch-2.4.19-mips)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Saint ID: exploit_info/linux_kernel_ptrace
Saint Name: Linux kernel ptrace privilege elevation vulnerability

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: ftp.kernel.org

Timelineinfo

03/13/2003 🔍
03/17/2003 +4 days 🔍
03/17/2003 +0 days 🔍
03/17/2003 +0 days 🔍
03/31/2003 +14 days 🔍
03/31/2003 +0 days 🔍
09/29/2004 +548 days 🔍
10/18/2004 +19 days 🔍
08/24/2025 +7615 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: marc.theaimsgroup.com
Researcher: Andrzej Szombierski
Organization: Kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2003-0127 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0127
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-19

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 11553
SecurityFocus: 7112 - Linux Kernel Privileged Process Hijacking Vulnerability
OSVDB: 4565
Vulnerability Center: 5587 - Linux Kernel Module Local Root Privilege Elevation via Process Spawning, Medium

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
Misc.: 🔍
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 03/17/2003 01:00
Updated: 08/24/2025 23:32
Changes: 03/17/2003 01:00 (73), 12/13/2016 20:20 (17), 03/08/2021 07:28 (2), 11/03/2024 06:39 (18), 12/26/2024 13:12 (1), 08/24/2025 23:32 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:6A8:103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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