The kernel module loader in Linux kernel 2.2.x before 2.2.25, and 2.4.x before 2.4.21, allows local users to gain root privileges by using ptrace to attach to a child process that is spawned by the kernel.
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A254
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-145.html
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2003-103.html
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2003:039
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2003:038
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/628849
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-495
http://www.debian.org/security/2004/dsa-423
http://www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-336
http://www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-332
http://www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-312
http://www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-311
http://www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-276
http://www.debian.org/security/2003/dsa-270
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200303-17.xml
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2003-098.html
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2003-088.html
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=105301461726555&w=2
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/vulnwatch/2003-q1/0134.html