CVE-2003-0961

EXPLOITED

Linux kernel <2.4.22 - Privilege Escalation

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2003-0961 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 2 public exploits from researchers including Wojciech Purczynski, Christophe Devine.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit targets a Linux kernel vulnerability (CVE-2003-0961) in the do_brk system call, allowing local privilege escalation by manipulating memory mappings and LDT entries to execute arbitrary kernel code.

Description

Integer overflow in the do_brk function for the brk system call in Linux kernel 2.4.22 and earlier allows local users to gain root privileges.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Wojciech Purczynski · clocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/131

This exploit targets a Linux kernel vulnerability (CVE-2003-0961) in the do_brk system call, allowing local privilege escalation by manipulating memory mappings and LDT entries to execute arbitrary kernel code.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Linux kernel (versions prior to 2.4.23 and 2.6.0)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the vulnerable system · Kernel version vulnerable to CVE-2003-0961
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Christophe Devine · assemblylocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/129

This exploit leverages a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's `brk` system call to bypass memory checks by using a high virtual address. It also relocates the stack to ensure successful exploitation, targeting local privilege escalation (LPE).

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Linux kernel (versions affected by CVE-2003-0961)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Local access to the target system · Vulnerable Linux kernel version
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (25)

Core 25
Core References
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert-vn
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/301156
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-389.html
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_mandrake
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2003:110
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-368.html
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-475
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-470
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/10330
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-433
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-423
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=107064830206816&w=2
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_suse
http://www.novell.com/linux/security/advisories/2003_049_kernel.html
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-450
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-440
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=107394143105081&w=2
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_conectiva
http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000796
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/10328
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/10329
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-439
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/10338
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/10333
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=107064798706473&w=2
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-417
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-403
Various Sources x_refsource_misc
http://isec.pl/papers/linux_kernel_do_brk.pdf
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-442

Scores

EPSS 0.0130
EPSS Percentile 80.2%

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2003-12-19
Status published
Products (1)
linux/linux_kernel < 2.4.22
Published Dec 15, 2003
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026