Linux Kernel 2.6.x zlib_inflate memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel 2.6.x. It has been declared as problematic. This affects the function zlib_inflate in the library zlib_inflate. Such manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2006-5823. No exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel 2.6.x (Operating System). It has been rated as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function zlib_inflate in the library zlib_inflate. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

The zlib_inflate function in Linux kernel 2.6.x allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) via a malformed filesystem that uses zlib compression that triggers memory corruption, as demonstrated using cramfs.

The bug was discovered 11/07/2006. The weakness was published 11/09/2006 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at ubuntu.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2006-5823 since 11/08/2006. The exploitation is known to be difficult. The attack needs to be approached locally. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 2 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 67516 (Oracle Linux 3 : kernel (ELSA-2007-0436)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Oracle Linux Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 115509 (Red Hat Kernel Security Update (RHSA-2007:0014)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published 8 months after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (30154), Tenable (67516), SecurityFocus (BID 23104†), OSVDB (30215†) and Secunia (SA22767†). Similar entries are available at VDB-2551, VDB-2589, VDB-2647 and VDB-2661. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.2
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.9

VulDB Base Score: 6.2
VulDB Temp Score: 5.9
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

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

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

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Nessus ID: 67516
Nessus Name: Oracle Linux 3 : kernel (ELSA-2007-0436)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
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OpenVAS ID: 60437
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 1503-1 (kernel-source-2.4.27 (2.4.27-10sarge6))
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

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Timelineinfo

11/07/2006 🔍
11/07/2006 +0 days 🔍
11/08/2006 +1 days 🔍
11/08/2006 +0 days 🔍
11/09/2006 +1 days 🔍
11/09/2006 +0 days 🔍
02/04/2007 +87 days 🔍
06/20/2007 +136 days 🔍
07/12/2013 +2214 days 🔍
03/12/2015 +608 days 🔍
04/27/2026 +4064 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: ubuntu.com
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2006-5823 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2006-5823
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-33200

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 30154
SecurityFocus: 23104
Secunia: 22767 - Fedora Core "zlib_inflate()" Denial of Service Vulnerability, Not Critical
OSVDB: 30215 - CVE-2006-5823 - Linux Kernel - Denial-of-service Issue
Vulnerability Center: 14200 - Linux Kernel 2.6.* zlib_inflate Function Local DoS via a Malformed Filesystem, Medium

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 03/12/2015 22:21
Updated: 04/27/2026 03:02
Changes: 03/12/2015 22:21 (77), 07/14/2019 11:48 (10), 04/27/2026 03:02 (19)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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