GLSA 200801-09: X.Org X server and Xfont library: Multiple vulnerabilities

Severity:high
Title:X.Org X server and Xfont library: Multiple vulnerabilities
Date:01/20/2008
Bugs: #204362, #208343
ID:200801-09

Synopsis

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in the X.Org X server and Xfont library, allowing for a local privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.

Background

The X Window System is a graphical windowing system based on a client/server model.

Affected packages

Package Vulnerable Unaffected Architecture(s)
x11-base/xorg-server < 1.3.0.0-r5 >= 1.3.0.0-r5 All supported architectures
x11-libs/libXfont < 1.3.1-r1 >= 1.3.1-r1 All supported architectures

Description

regenrecht reported multiple vulnerabilities in various X server extension via iDefense:

  • The XFree86-Misc extension does not properly sanitize a parameter within a PassMessage request, allowing the modification of a function pointer (CVE-2007-5760).
  • Multiple functions in the XInput extension do not properly sanitize client requests for swapping bytes, leading to corruption of heap memory (CVE-2007-6427).
  • Integer overflow vulnerabilities in the EVI extension and in the MIT-SHM extension can lead to buffer overflows (CVE-2007-6429).
  • The TOG-CUP extension does not sanitize an index value in the ProcGetReservedColormapEntries() function, leading to arbitrary memory access (CVE-2007-6428).
  • A buffer overflow was discovered in the Xfont library when processing PCF font files (CVE-2008-0006).
  • The X server does not enforce restrictions when a user specifies a security policy file and attempts to open it (CVE-2007-5958).

Impact

Remote attackers could exploit the vulnerability in the Xfont library by enticing a user to load a specially crafted PCF font file resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the X server, typically root. Local attackers could exploit this and the vulnerabilities in the X.org extensions to gain elevated privileges. If the X server allows connections from the network, these vulnerabilities could be exploited remotely. A local attacker could determine the existence of arbitrary files by exploiting the last vulnerability or possibly cause a Denial of Service.

Workaround

Workarounds for some of the vulnerabilities can be found in the X.Org security advisory as listed under References.

Resolution

All X.Org X server users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=x11-base/xorg-server-1.3.0.0-r5"

All X.Org Xfont library users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge --sync # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=x11-libs/libXfont-1.3.1-r1"

References

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200801-09.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.

License

Copyright 2010 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text belongs to its owner(s). The contents of this document are licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.

Thank you!