GLSA 200703-26: file: Integer underflow

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	high
Title:	file: Integer underflow
Date:	03/30/2007
Bugs:	#171452
ID:	200703-26

Synopsis

A buffer underflow vulnerability has been reported in file allowing for the user-assisted execution of arbitrary code.

Background

file is a utility that guesses a file format by scanning binary data for patterns.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
sys-apps/file	< 4.20	>= 4.20	All supported architectures

Description

Jean-Sebastien Guay-Leroux reported an integer underflow in file_printf function.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to run the "file" program on a specially crafted file that would trigger a heap-based buffer overflow possibly leading to the execution of arbitrary code with the rights of the user running "file". Note that this vulnerability could be also triggered through an automatic file scanner like amavisd-new.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

Since file is a system package, all Gentoo users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/file-4.20"

References

CVE-2007-1536

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200703-26.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.