(RHSA-2004:505) Updated kernel packages fix security vulnerability

The Linux kernel handles the basic functions of the operating
system.

This is the sixth regular kernel update to Red Hat Enterprise Linux version
2.1. It updates a number of device drivers, and adds much improved SATA
support.

This update includes fixes for several security issues:

Paul Starzetz of iSEC discovered various flaws in the ELF binary
loader affecting kernels prior to 2.4.28. A local user could use these
flaws to gain read access to executable-only binaries or possibly gain
privileges. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project
(cve.mitre.org) has assigned the names CAN-2004-1070, CAN-2004-1071,
CAN-2004-1072, and CAN-2004-1073 to these issues.

A missing serialization flaw in unix_dgram_recvmsg was discovered that
affects kernels prior to 2.4.28. A local user could potentially make
use of a race condition in order to gain privileges. (CAN-2004-1068)

Stefan Esser discovered various flaws including buffer overflows in
the smbfs driver affecting kernels before 2.4.28. A local user may be
able to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly gain privileges.
In order to exploit these flaws the user would need to have control of
a connected smb server. (CAN-2004-0883, CAN-2004-0949)

Conectiva discovered flaws in certain USB drivers affecting kernels
before 2.4.27 which used the copy_to_user function on uninitialized
structures. These flaws could allow local users to read small
amounts of kernel memory. (CAN-2004-0685)

The ext3 code in kernels before 2.4.26 did not properly initialize journal
descriptor blocks. A privileged local user could read portions of kernel
memory. (CAN-2004-0177)

The following drivers have also been updated:

• tg3 v3.10
• e1000 v5.3.19-k2
• e100 v3.0.27-k2
• megaraid
• megaraid2 v2.10.8.2

All Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 users are advised to upgrade their kernels
to the packages associated with their machine architectures and
configurations as listed in this erratum.