Linux Kernel 2.6.29 ptrace_attach race condition

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel 2.6.29. It has been classified as problematic. The impacted element is the function ptrace_attach. This manipulation causes race condition. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2009-1527. Moreover, an exploit is present. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel 2.6.29 (Operating System). It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ptrace_attach. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a race condition vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-362. The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, and the code sequence requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence that is operating concurrently. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Race condition in the ptrace_attach function in kernel/ptrace.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.30-rc4 allows local users to gain privileges via a PTRACE_ATTACH ptrace call during an exec system call that is launching a setuid application, related to locking an incorrect cred_exec_mutex object.

The bug was discovered 04/26/2009. The weakness was disclosed 05/04/2009 by Eugene Teo (oss-sec). It is possible to read the advisory at openwall.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2009-1527 since 05/05/2009. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details and also a public exploit are known.

A public exploit has been developed by s0m3b0dy and been published 2 weeks after the advisory. It is possible to download the exploit at exploit-db.com. It is declared as functional. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 41 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 116414 (Linux Kernel "ptrace_attach()" Privilege Escalation Vulnerability).

Upgrading to version 2.6.29.2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (50293), Exploit-DB (8673), SecurityFocus (BID 34799†), OSVDB (54188†) and Secunia (SA34977†). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.8

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.8
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Race condition
CWE: CWE-362
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Functional
Author: s0m3b0dy
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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OpenVAS ID: 64175
OpenVAS Name: Ubuntu USN-776-2 (kvm)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
Exploit Delay Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Kernel 2.6.29.2
Patch: git.kernel.org

Timelineinfo

03/24/2009 🔍
04/26/2009 +33 days 🔍
05/04/2009 +8 days 🔍
05/04/2009 +0 days 🔍
05/04/2009 +0 days 🔍
05/04/2009 +0 days 🔍
05/04/2009 +0 days 🔍
05/05/2009 +0 days 🔍
05/05/2009 +0 days 🔍
05/05/2009 +0 days 🔍
05/13/2009 +8 days 🔍
05/13/2009 +0 days 🔍
05/19/2009 +6 days 🔍
04/13/2025 +5808 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: openwall.com
Researcher: Eugene Teo
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2009-1527 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2009-1527
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-3967
X-Force: 50293 - Linux Kernel ptrace_attach() code execution, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 34799 - Linux Kernel 'ptrace_attach()' Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Secunia: 34977
OSVDB: 54188 - Linux Kernel ptrace_attach() Function cred_exec_mutex Handling Local Privilege Escalation
Vulnerability Center: 21880 - Linux kernel 2.6.29 \x27ptrace_attach()\x27 Local Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability, High
Vupen: ADV-2009-1236

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 05/19/2009 14:46
Updated: 04/13/2025 21:50
Changes: 05/19/2009 14:46 (94), 09/02/2019 16:45 (1), 12/19/2024 14:18 (18), 04/13/2025 21:50 (3)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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