---
title: "CVE-2008-3901\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-3901?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2008-3901

Publication date 3 September 2008

Last updated 24 July 2024

---

Ubuntu priority

**Negligible**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

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## Description

Software suspend 2 2-2.2.1, when used with the Linux kernel 2.6.16, stores
pre-boot authentication passwords in the BIOS Keyboard buffer and does not
clear this buffer after use, which allows local users to obtain sensitive
information by reading the physical memory locations associated with this
buffer.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-3901?format=md#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| linux | 8.04 LTS hardy | Ignored end of life, was needed |
| 7.10 gutsy | Not in release |
| 7.04 feisty | Not in release |
| 6.06 LTS dapper | Not in release |
| linux-source-2.6.15 | 8.04 LTS hardy | Not in release |
| 7.10 gutsy | Not in release |
| 7.04 feisty | Not in release |
| 6.06 LTS dapper | Ignored end of life, was needed |
| linux-source-2.6.20 | 8.04 LTS hardy | Not in release |
| 7.10 gutsy | Not in release |
| 7.04 feisty | Ignored end of life, was needed |
| 6.06 LTS dapper | Not in release |
| linux-source-2.6.22 | 8.04 LTS hardy | Not in release |
| 7.10 gutsy | Ignored end of life, was needed |
| 7.04 feisty | Not in release |
| 6.06 LTS dapper | Not in release |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Notes

---

### [jdstrand](https://launchpad.net/~jdstrand)

requires root access to the machine which gives access to do
anything anyway (unless restricting root access via SELinux, which Ubuntu
does not)

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-3901)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3901)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2008-3901)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2008-3901)

### Other references

* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-3901>