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TITLE:
Linux Kernel "ptrace_attach()" Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

SECUNIA ADVISORY ID:
SA34977

VERIFY ADVISORY:
http://secunia.com/advisories/34977/

DESCRIPTION:
A vulnerability has been reported in the Linux Kernel, which can be
exploited by malicious, local users to potentially gain escalated
privileges.

The vulnerability is caused due to "ptrace_attach()" using an
inadequate mutex while synchronizing with "execve()". This can be
exploited to potentially execute arbitrary code with root privileges
by attaching to a setuid process.

The vulnerability is reported in version 2.6.29. Newer versions may
also be affected.

SOLUTION:
Fixed in the GIT repository.
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=commit;h=cad81bc2529ab8c62b6fdc83a1c0c7f4a87209eb

PROVIDED AND/OR DISCOVERED BY:
Eugene Teo

ORIGINAL ADVISORY:
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/05/04/2
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=commit;h=d84f4f992cbd76e8f39c488cf0c5d123843923b1

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