This call will attempt to break down root permisssions into a series of capabilities. It may be possible to set the capabilities so that a setuid program cannot fully give up its root privileges thus allowing a normal user elevated privileges. All linux kernels 2.XXX through 2.2.15.
Local users can gain root privileges.
Due to the many programs using the linux kernel capability, it is strongly suggested that the linux kernel be upgraded to 2.2.16. Information on workarounds for sendmail, SGI Linux and Sendmail, Inc. switches follow. The Sendmail Consortium and Sendmail, Inc. has been informed of a serious problem in the Linux kernel that can be used to get root access. This is not a sendmail security problem, although sendmail is one of the vectors for this attack. There is a bug in the Linux kernel capability model for versions through 2.2.15 that allows local users to get root.