Issued:
2012-02-20
Updated:
2012-02-20

RHBA-2012:0255 - iptables bug fix and enhancement update

Synopsis

iptables bug fix and enhancement update

Type/Severity

Bug Fix Advisory (none)

Topic

Updated iptables packages that fix several bugs and add two enhancements are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.

Description

The iptables utility controls the network packet filtering code in the Linux kernel.

These updated iptables packages provide fixes for the following bugs:

  • Prior to this update, the memory alignment of ipt_connlimit_data was incorrect on x86-based systems. An error message in the format "ip_tables: connlimit match: invalid size" was logged. This update adds an explicit alignment attribute to the ipt_connlimit_data structure to correct this. (BZ#520797)

  • The sysctl values for netfilter kernel modules were not restored after a firewall restart. Consequently, the firewall did not always perform as expected after a restart. This update applies a patch to optionally load sysctl settings on iptables start, if specified by the user in the /etc/sysctl.conf file. Users can now define sysctl settings to load on start and restart. (BZ#552522)

  • Prior to this update, the kernel netfilter modules were not loaded at all times. Consequently, some commands did not perform as expected the first time they were executed. With this update, a patch has been applied to ensure the modules are properly loaded and the problem no longer occurs. (BZ#554340)

In addition, these updated iptables packages provide the following enhancements:

  • Prior to this update, the statistic match module was not included in the iptables package. With this update, this module in now included. (BZ#471163)

  • A service reload option has been added to enable a refresh of the firewall rules without unloading netfilter kernel modules and dropping connections. (BZ#710050)

Users are advised to upgrade to these updated iptables packages, which fix these bugs and add these enhancements.

Solution

Before applying this update, make sure all previously-released errata relevant to your system have been applied.

This update is available via the Red Hat Network. Details on how to use the Red Hat Network to apply this update are available at This content is not included.https://access.redhat.com/kb/docs/DOC-11259

Affected Products

ProductVersionArch
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian5ppc
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems5s390x
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation5x86_64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation5i386
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server5x86_64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server5ia64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server5i386
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server from RHUI5x86_64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server from RHUI5i386
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop5x86_64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop5i386

Updated Packages

  • iptables-devel-1.3.5-9.1.el5.ia64.rpm
  • iptables-devel-1.3.5-9.1.el5.i386.rpm
  • iptables-ipv6-1.3.5-9.1.el5.x86_64.rpm
  • iptables-1.3.5-9.1.el5.x86_64.rpm
  • iptables-1.3.5-9.1.el5.ppc64.rpm
  • iptables-1.3.5-9.1.el5.src.rpm
  • iptables-1.3.5-9.1.el5.ia64.rpm
  • iptables-ipv6-1.3.5-9.1.el5.i386.rpm
  • iptables-ipv6-1.3.5-9.1.el5.ppc64.rpm
  • iptables-1.3.5-9.1.el5.i386.rpm
  • iptables-devel-1.3.5-9.1.el5.s390x.rpm
  • iptables-devel-1.3.5-9.1.el5.ppc.rpm
  • iptables-1.3.5-9.1.el5.ppc.rpm
  • iptables-1.3.5-9.1.el5.s390x.rpm
  • iptables-ipv6-1.3.5-9.1.el5.s390x.rpm
  • iptables-devel-1.3.5-9.1.el5.s390.rpm
  • iptables-devel-1.3.5-9.1.el5.x86_64.rpm
  • iptables-ipv6-1.3.5-9.1.el5.ppc.rpm
  • iptables-devel-1.3.5-9.1.el5.ppc64.rpm
  • iptables-ipv6-1.3.5-9.1.el5.ia64.rpm

Fixes

CVEs

(none)

References

(none)

Additional information