Linux kernel 2.4 and 2.6 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory exhaustion and panic) by creating a large number of connected file descriptors or socketpairs and setting a large data transfer buffer, then preventing Linux from being able to finish the transfer by causing the process to become a zombie, or closing the file descriptor without closing an associated reference.

References

• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2005-3660
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/23835
• http://secunia.com/advisories/18205
• http://securityreason.com/securityalert/291
• http://securitytracker.com/id?1015402
• http://www.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=362
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/16041
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2005/3076