GLSA 200909-12: HTMLDOC: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	normal
Title:	HTMLDOC: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code
Date:	09/12/2009
Bugs:	#278186
ID:	200909-12

Synopsis

Multiple insecure calls to the sscanf() function in HTMLDOC might result in the execution of arbitrary code.

Background

HTMLDOC is a HTML indexer and HTML to PS and PDF converter.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
app-text/htmldoc	< 1.8.27-r1	>= 1.8.27-r1	All supported architectures

Description

ANTHRAX666 reported an insecure call to the sscanf() function in the set_page_size() function in htmldoc/util.cxx. Nico Golde of the Debian Security Team found two more insecure calls in the write_type1() function in htmldoc/ps-pdf.cxx and the htmlLoadFontWidths() function in htmldoc/htmllib.cxx.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to process a specially crafted HTML file using htmldoc, possibly resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. NOTE: Additional vectors via specially crafted AFM font metric files do not cross trust boundaries, as the files can only be modified by privileged users.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All HTMLDOC users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-text/htmldoc-1.8.27-r1"

References

CVE-2009-3050

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200909-12.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.