FTE Text Editor vfte buffer overflow

ftetexteditor-vfte-bo (15726) The risk level is classified as HighHigh Risk

Description:

FTE Text Editor is vulnerable to multiple buffer overflows, caused by improper bounds checking of requests. By sending an overly long request with certain command line arguments to the vfte utility, a remote attacker can overflow a buffer and cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code on the server with setuid or setgid privileges.

Platforms Affected:

  • Debian, Debian Linux 3.0
  • SourceForge, FTE Text Editor

Remedy:

For Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 (woody):
Upgrade to the latest FTE Text Editor package (fte_0.49.13-15woody1 or later), as listed in DSA-472-1. See References.

Consequences:

Gain Access

References:

  • CIAC Information Bulletin O-107, vfte Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities at http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/o-107.shtml.
  • BID-10041: FTE Multiple Local Unspecified Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities
  • CVE-2003-0648: Multiple buffer overflows in vfte, based on FTE, before 0.50, allow local users to execute arbitrary code.
  • DSA-472: fte -- several vulnerabilities
  • SA11290: FTE Text Editor Multiple Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities
  • SECTRACK ID: 1009655: FTE Command Line and Environment Variable Buffer Overflows May Let Local Users Gain Elevated Privileges
  • SECTRACK ID: 1009656: (Debian Issues Fix) FTE Command Line and Environment Variable Buffer Overflows May Let Local Users Gain Elevated Privileges
  • US-CERT VU#354838: FTE fails to properly validate command line arguments
  • US-CERT VU#900964: FTE fails to properly validate environment variables

Reported:

Apr 05, 2004

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