GLSA 201202-09: libxml2: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	normal
Title:	libxml2: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code
Date:	02/29/2012
Bugs:	#398361
ID:	201202-09

Synopsis

A boundary error in libxml2 could result in execution of arbitrary code or Denial of Service.

Background

libxml2 is the XML C parser and toolkit developed for the Gnome project.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
dev-libs/libxml2	< 2.7.8-r4	>= 2.7.8-r4	All supported architectures

Description

The "xmlStringLenDecodeEntities()" function in parser.c contains a boundary error which could possibly cause a heap-based buffer overflow.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to open a specially crafted XML file in an application linked against libxml2, possibly resulting in the remote execution of arbitrary code with the permissions of the user running the application, or Denial of Service.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All libxml2 users should upgrade to the latest version:

      # emerge --sync
      # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-libs/libxml2-2.7.8-r4"

Packages which depend on this library may need to be recompiled. Tools such as revdep-rebuild may assist in identifying some of these packages.

References

CVE-2011-3919

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201202-09.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.