GNU gv buffer overflow

gnu-gv-buffer-overflow (30153)

High Risk

Description:

GNU gv is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds checking by he ps_gettext() function in the ps.c file. By sending a specially-crafted PostScript file, a remote attacker could overflow a buffer and execute arbitrary code on the system or cause the application to crash, if the attacker could persuade the user to open the file.

Note: Evince and other products that use gv could be successfully exploited.

Platforms Affected:

• Canonical, Ubuntu 5.10
• Canonical, Ubuntu 6.06 LTS
• Canonical, Ubuntu 6.10
• Debian, Debian Linux 3.1
• Evince, Evince 1.0
• Gentoo, Linux
• GNU, GV 3.5.8
• GNU, GV 3.6.0
• GNU, GV 3.6.1
• GNU, GV 3.6.2
• MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2006
• MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2006 X86_64
• MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2007
• MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2007 X86_64
• MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 3.0
• MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 3.0 X86_64
• MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 4.0 X86_64
• MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 4.0

Remedy:

For Mandriva Linux:
Refer to Mandriva Linux Security Advisory MDKSA-2006:214 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Gentoo Linux:
Refer to Gentoo Linux Security Announcement GLSA 200611-20 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Gentoo Linux:
Refer to Gentoo Linux Security Announcement GLSA GLSA 200703-24 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Mandriva Linux:
Refer to Mandriva Linux Security Advisory MDKSA-2006:214-1 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Ubuntu Linux (evince):
Refer to USN-390-2 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Ubuntu Linux (evince-gtk):
Refer to USN-390-3 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Debian GNU/Linux:
Refer to DSA-1243-1 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For other distributions:
Contact your vendor for patch or upgrade information.

Consequences:

Gain Access

References:

• Full-Disclosure Mailing List, Thu Nov 09 2006 - 09:55:31 CST, GNU gv Stack Overflow Vulnerability at http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2006-11/0148.html.
• GNU gv Web site, GNU gv at http://www.gnu.org/software/gv/#introduction.
• BID-20978: GNU GV Stack Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
• CVE-2006-5864: Stack-based buffer overflow in the ps_gettext function in ps.c for GNU gv 3.6.2, and possibly earlier versions, allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PostScript (PS) file with certain headers that contain long comments, as demonstrated using the (1) DocumentMedia, (2) DocumentPaperSizes, and possibly (3) PageMedia and (4) PaperSize headers. NOTE: this issue can be exploited through other products that use gv such as evince.
• DSA-1214: gv -- buffer overflow
• DSA-1243: evince -- buffer overflow
• GLSA-200611-20: GNU gv: Stack overflow
• GLSA-200703-24: mgv: Stack overflow in included gv code
• GLSA-200704-06: Evince: Stack overflow in included gv code
• MDKSA-2006:214: Updated gv packages fix buffer overflow vulnerability
• MDKSA-2006:214-1: Updated gv packages fix buffer overflow vulnerability
• MDKSA-2006:229: Updated evince packages fix buffer overflow vulnerability
• SA22787: GNU gv "ps_gettext()" Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
• SA23111: Evince "get_next_text()" Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
• SA23409: SUSE Update for Multiple Packages
• SA24649: Gentoo mgv Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
• SUSE-SR:2006:026: SUSE Security Summary Report
• SUSE-SR:2006:028: SUSE Security Summary Report
• SUSE-SR:2006:029: SUSE Security Summary Report
• US-CERT VU#352825: GNU gv buffer overflow vulnerability
• USN-390-1: evince vulnerability
• USN-390-2: evince vulnerability
• USN-390-3: evince-gtk vulnerability
• VUPEN/ADV-2006-4424: GNU gv ps_gettext() File Handling Client-Side Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
• VUPEN/ADV-2006-4747: GNOME Evince get_next_text() Function Client-Side Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Reported:

Nov 09, 2006

The information within this database may change without notice. Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. In no event shall the author/distributor (Internet Security Systems X-Force) be held liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or spread of this information.

Copyright (c) 1994-2008 Internet Security Systems, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

For corrections or additions please email xforce@iss.net

Return to the main page