Re: hotpatching linux kernels:
Sorry for not posting this link last time. I had to do some digging.
Have a look at this URL -
http://packetstorm.securify.com/groups/thc/LKM_HACKING.html#IV.2
It explains a ~very~dangerous~ way of runtime patching/modifying any linux
kernel (with or without kernel module support). It explains how to inspect and
modify the kernel image through /dev/kmem.
- Raja