The Linux kernel handles the basic functions of the operating system.
A flaw in bounds checking in the do_brk() function in the Linux kernel
versions 2.4.22 and previous can allow a local attacker to gain root
privileges. This issue is known to be exploitable; an exploit has been
seen in the wild that takes advantage of this vulnerability. The Common
Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name
CAN-2003-0961 to this issue.
All users are advised to upgrade to these errata packages, which contain
a backported security patch that corrects this vulnerability.
Important:
If you use Red Hat Linux 7.1, you must have installed quota-3.06-9.71 from
RHSA-2003:187, and if you use Red Hat Linux 7.2 or 7.3, you must have
installed quota-3.06-9.7 from RHSA-2003:187