PRE-CERT Security Advisory ========================== * Advisory: PRE-SA-2011-02 * Released on: 16 Mar 2011 * Last updated on: 16 Mar 2011 * Affected product: Linux Kernel 2.4 and 2.6 * Impact: disclosure of sensitive information * Origin: storage devices * Credit: Timo Warns (PRESENSE Technologies GmbH) * CVE Identifier: CVE-2011-1163 Summary ------- The Linux kernel contains a vulnerability that may lead to information leakage due to corrupted partition tables. The kernel automatically evaluates partition tables of storage devices. This happens independently of whether any auto-mounting is enabled or not. The code for evaluating OSF partition tables contains a buffer overflow bug that allows to leak data from the kernel heap to userspace. Workaround ---------- Compile and use a kernel that does not evaluate OSF partition tables. The corresponding configuration key is CONFIG_OSF_PARTITION. Solution -------- The bug has been fixed in Linux kernel 2.6.38. References ---------- When further information becomes available, this advisory will be updated. The most recent version of this advisory is available at: http://www.pre-cert.de/advisories/PRE-SA-2011-02.txt Contact ------- PRE-CERT can be reached under precert@pre-secure.de. For PGP key information, refer to http://www.pre-cert.de/.