USN-3522-4: Linux kernel (Xenial HWE) regression
Ubuntu Security Notice USN-3522-4
10th January, 2018
linux-lts-xenial regression
A security issue affects these releases of Ubuntu and its
derivatives:
- Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
Summary
USN-3522-2 introduced a regression in the Linux Hardware Enablement kernel.
Software description
- linux-lts-xenial
– Linux hardware enablement kernel from Xenial for Trusty
Details
USN-3522-2 fixed a vulnerability in the Linux Hardware Enablement
kernel for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS to address Meltdown (CVE-2017-5754).
Unfortunately, that update introduced a regression where a few systems
failed to boot successfully. This update fixes the problem.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Original advisory details:
Jann Horn discovered that microprocessors utilizing speculative execution
and indirect branch prediction may allow unauthorized memory reads via
sidechannel attacks. This flaw is known as Meltdown. A local attacker could
use this to expose sensitive information, including kernel memory.
Update instructions
The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following
package version:
- Ubuntu 14.04 LTS:
-
linux-image-generic-lts-xenial
4.4.0.109.92
-
linux-image-lowlatency-lts-xenial
4.4.0.109.92
-
linux-image-4.4.0-109-lowlatency
4.4.0-109.132~14.04.1
-
linux-image-4.4.0-109-generic
4.4.0-109.132~14.04.1
To update your system, please follow these instructions:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Security/Upgrades.
After a standard system update you need to reboot your computer to make
all the necessary changes.
ATTENTION: Due to an unavoidable ABI change the kernel updates have
been given a new version number, which requires you to recompile and
reinstall all third party kernel modules you might have installed.
Unless you manually uninstalled the standard kernel metapackages
(e.g. linux-generic, linux-generic-lts-RELEASE, linux-virtual,
linux-powerpc), a standard system upgrade will automatically perform
this as well.