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4.9

Linux kernel on sparc64 can crash via /proc/iomem

CVE-2009-1914 · published 17 years ago
Summary

A coding error in older Linux kernel releases for the sparc64 hardware can cause the whole system to stop working if a local user opens the /proc/iomem file. This makes the computer unusable until it is restarted. Install a newer kernel version (2.6.29 or later) or apply the vendor's patch to fix the problem.

What to do

The CVE record does not list a fixed version. Check the vendor's site or the advisory links below - a fix may already be released.

Affected software
VendorProductAffected versions
linux linux_kernel <= 2.6.28.10
2.6.0
2.6.1
2.6.2
2.6.3
2.6.4
2.6.5
2.6.6
2.6.7
2.6.8
2.6.8.1
2.6.9
279 more version ranges
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Original advisory text
The pci_register_iommu_region function in arch/sparc/kernel/pci_common.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.29 on the sparc64 platform allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) by ...
The pci_register_iommu_region function in arch/sparc/kernel/pci_common.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.29 on the sparc64 platform allows local users to cause a denial of service (system crash) by reading the /proc/iomem file, related to uninitialized pointers and the request_resource function.
References
Fix within
Internet-facing 60 days
Internal At next upgrade
  • Not known to be exploited
  • Needs hands-on effort to exploit (estimated)
  • Gives an attacker partial control (estimated)
Severity
4.9 Medium
Exploitation
<1% chance of attack within 30 days
Type
CWE-20Improper Input Validation
Timeline
Published4 Jun 2009
Updated4 Nov 2026
First seen29 Sep 2026
Sources
CVE-2009-1914 · NVD
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