RHBA-2003:308 - Bug Fix Advisory

Topic

Updated kernel packages are now available that allow 32-bit
compatibility-mode applications to utilize a larger address space on the
AMD64 architecture.

[Updated 01 Dec 2003]
Note: This errata also fixed a bug in the do_brk() function, which has now
been found to have security consequences: allowing a local attacker to gain
root privileges (CAN-2003-0961). There is no change to the packages
associated with this advisory.

Description

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

The initial release of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 kernel for the AMD64
architecture limited the amount of virtual address space available to
applications compiled on a 32-bit (x86) architecture to an unnecessary
degree. A side effect of this restriction was that some applications
with large address space requirements might execute successfully on an
x86-based platform, but might not run on an AMD64-based platform.

These updated kernel packages significantly raise this address space limit.

Solution

Before applying this update, make sure all previously released errata
relevant to your system have been applied.

To update all RPMs for your particular architecture, run:

rpm -Fvh [filenames]

where [filenames] is a list of the RPMs you wish to upgrade. Only those
RPMs which are currently installed will be updated. Those RPMs which are
not installed but included in the list will not be updated. Note that you
can also use wildcards (*.rpm) if your current directory *only* contains the
desired RPMs.

Please note that this update is also available via Red Hat Network. Many
people find this an easier way to apply updates. To use Red Hat Network,
launch the Red Hat Update Agent with the following command:

up2date

This will start an interactive process that will result in the appropriate
RPMs being upgraded on your system.

If up2date fails to connect to Red Hat Network due to SSL
Certificate Errors, you need to install a version of the
up2date client with an updated certificate. The latest version of
up2date is available from the Red Hat FTP site and may also be
downloaded directly from the RHN website:

https://rhn.redhat.com/help/latest-up2date.pxt

Affected Products

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 3 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 3 ia64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 3 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 3 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 3 ia64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 3 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 3 s390x
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 3 s390
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian 3 ppc

Fixes

• BZ - 106785 - amd64 has siginificant bug in 32 bit emulation

CVEs

• CVE-2003-0961

References

(none)