GLSA 200510-15: Lynx: Buffer overflow in NNTP processing

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	normal
Title:	Lynx: Buffer overflow in NNTP processing
Date:	10/17/2005
Bugs:	#108451
ID:	200510-15

Synopsis

Lynx contains a buffer overflow that may be exploited to execute arbitrary code.

Background

Lynx is a text-mode browser for the World Wide Web. It supports multiple URL types, including HTTP and NNTP URLs.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
www-client/lynx	< 2.8.5-r1	>= 2.8.5-r1	All supported architectures

Description

When accessing a NNTP URL, Lynx connects to a NNTP server and retrieves information about the available articles in the target newsgroup. Ulf Harnhammar discovered a buffer overflow in a function that handles the escaping of special characters.

Impact

An attacker could setup a malicious NNTP server and entice a user to access it using Lynx (either by creating NNTP links on a web page or by forcing a redirect for Lynx users). The data returned by the NNTP server would trigger the buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code with the rights of the user running Lynx.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Lynx users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=www-client/lynx-2.8.5-r1"

References

CAN-2005-3120

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200510-15.xml

Concerns?

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at https://bugs.gentoo.org.