Description of problem: /dev/urandom can return duplicate values when two processors read from it at the same time. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): kernel-smp-2.4.21-37 How reproducible: Having 2 processes running on 2 processors accessing the /dev/urandom file. Actual results: The same values are read from the read() call on /dev/urandom. Expected results: Different values from the read() calls. Additional info: This bug has been fixed in kernel 2.6.10. When will this be introduced in the 2.4.x kernels from RedHat ? Do a search on 'concurrent acces /dev/urandom' and you should find the bug details and the bug fixes related to it.
This bug is filed against RHEL 3, which is in maintenance phase. During the maintenance phase, only security errata and select mission critical bug fixes will be released for enterprise products. Since this bug does not meet that criteria, it is now being closed. For more information of the RHEL errata support policy, please visit: http://www.redhat.com/security/updates/errata/ If you feel this bug is indeed mission critical, please contact your support representative. You may be asked to provide detailed information on how this bug is affecting you.