# CVE-2004-1071: Memory corruption in n/a

> Local attackers can exploit improper mmap handling in the Linux kernel ELF loader to execute arbitrary code and escalate privileges.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 1 Dec 2004
- **Updated:** 8 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4p9c-c557-r5cq

## What is CVE-2004-1071?

CVE-2004-1071 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 1 Dec 2004. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The binfmt_elf loader (binfmt_elf.c) in Linux kernel 2.4.x up to 2.4.27, and 2.6.x up to 2.6.8, does not properly handle a failed call to the mmap function, which causes an incorrect mapped image and may allow local users to execute arbitrary code.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2004-1071?

It affects 8 products.


Products: Linux kernel, Redhat Enterprise Linux, Redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop, Redhat Fedora Core, Redhat Linux Advanced Workstation, Suse Suse Linux, Trustix Secure Linux, Turbolinux Turbolinux Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2004-1071?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2004-1071 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2004-1071 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel

- [CVE-2026-53266](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53266/): Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-6282](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-6282/): Linux Kernel Improper Input Validation (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2022-0185](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-0185/): Linux Kernel Heap-Based Buffer Overflow (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-2094](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-2094/): Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-53362](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53362/): Linux Kernel Unspecified (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2004-1071 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2004-1071 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 1 Dec 2004. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2004-1071 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Linux kernel. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-1071/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-1071/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2004-1071
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2004-1071
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2004-1071

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-1071/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.