CVE-2016-6213: Medium severity linux kernel vulnerability

Published Jul 14, 2016
·
Updated

fs/namespace.c in the Linux kernel before 4.9 does not restrict how many mounts may exist in a mount namespace, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption and deadlock) via MSBIND mount system calls, as demonstrated by a loop that triggers exponential growth in the number of mounts.

Other sources

It was found that in Linux kernel the mount table expands by a power-of-two with each bind mount command. If a system is configured to allow non-privileged user to do bind mounts, or allows to do so in a container or unprivileged mount namespace, then non-privileged user is able to cause a local DoS by overflowing the mount table, which causes a deadlock for the whole system.

CVE request:

http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2016/q3/56

Proofs:

http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2016/q3/65

http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2016/q3/75

Discussions:

https://lkml.org/lkml/2013/6/17/143

Red Hat

Affected Software

2 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel<=4.8.15
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.25-1

Event History

Jul 14, 2016
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·08:09 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Dec 28, 2016
CVE Published
via MITRE·07:42 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·07:42 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·07:59 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·10:20 PM
Description
Sep 16, 2024
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·01:16 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Apr 28, 2025
Data Sourced
via Debian·03:32 AM
DescriptionAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2016-6213?

CVE-2016-6213 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption and deadlock) via MS_BIND mount system calls.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2016-6213?

The severity of CVE-2016-6213 is low.

3

How does CVE-2016-6213 affect Linux?

CVE-2016-6213 affects the Linux kernel versions before 4.9.

4

How can I fix CVE-2016-6213?

To fix CVE-2016-6213, update your Linux kernel to version 4.9 or later.

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2016-6213?

You can find more information about CVE-2016-6213 at the following references: - [Reference 1](http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2016/q3/56) - [Reference 2](http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2016/q3/65) - [Reference 3](http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2016/q3/75)

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