WHAT'S HAPPENING?
TSO Linux core critical services, research systems, and instructional systems will be intermittently unavailable, including DNS, LDAP, home directories, and the main web sites for CoC, CS, CSE, and IC.


WHEN IS IT HAPPENING?
Friday, May 17, 2013, starting at 8:00 AM. The maintenance is expected to be completed by 5:00 PM, Monday, May 20, 2013.


WHY IS IT HAPPENING?
A high-severity vulnerability in Linux kernels between versions 2.6.37 and 3.8.9 has been announced.  Exploit code is publicly available that allows an authenticated user to gain root access to the affected system.  TSO will patch the affected TSO-managed systems.

Additional details regarding the vulnerability are available at
http://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-2094
and
http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/05/critical-linux-vulnerability-imperils-users-even-after-silent-fix/
and
http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Exploit-for-local-Linux-kernel-bug-in-circulation-Update-1863892.html


WHO IS AFFECTED?
All users of CoC Linux core services, research systems, and instructional systems.  This will not affect Windows servers.  


WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
Affected user should save their work frequently and be prepared for service interruption during the maintenance period.  Staggered reboots will take place to minimize DNS resolution issues.  If this emergency maintenance will cause undue hardship, please let TSO know as soon as possible by contacting the TSO Help Desk.


WHO SHOULD YOU CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS?
TSO Help Desk (CCB 148, 404.894.7065, helpdesk@cc.gatech.edu).