I just caught hold of a C source code from 2005. This code is a local DoS
which fills up the entire memory on Linux 2.6.N kernels.
At that time, I used Fedora Core 4 and a pentium 4 machine with 512 MB ram.
After compiling and running this program on the old machine, it used to hang
within 40 seconds.
I compiled and ran this program on a test machine having Dual Core CPU, 2 GB
ram and Debian Lenny to see if this code holds good today.
I saw that RAM wasent running out, but the CPU usage was 100%. I didnt wait
for computer to hang, but I think this code is dangerous and can be used for
malicious intentions.
I am sending the code so that we can prevent bad use of it. It still has
potential of a local DoS. I hope kernel hackers might get interested in
this.
This code isent tested on AMD 64 bit kernel, but on a 2.6.26 stable kernel.
The C code is attached with this mail.
800df127fbcb5552a455b6742b62bfe0 mseak.c
Just gcc mseak.c -o mseak; mseak & to see the effects.