WordNet binsrch.c and search.c buffer overflow
| wordnet-binsrch-search-bo (44851) |  High Risk |
Description:
WordNet is vulnerable to a stack-based and heap-based buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds checking by the binsrch.c and search.c files. By sending an overly long request using library calls, a remote attacker could overflow a buffer and execute arbitrary code on the system or cause the application to crash.
Platforms Affected:
- Debian, Debian Linux 4.0
- Gentoo, Linux
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2008.0
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2008.0 X86_64
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2008.1
- MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2008.1 X86_64
- Princeton University, WordNet 3.0
Remedy:
Apply the patch for WordNet, available from the oCert patch Web page. See References.
Consequences:
Gain Access
References:
- oCERT Advisories #2008-014, WordNet stack and heap overflows at http://www.ocert.org/advisories/ocert-2008-014.html.
- oCert Analysis, 2008-014, WordNet-3.0 Audit at http://www.ocert.org/analysis/2008-014/analysis.txt.
- oCert patch Web page, wordnet.patch at http://www.ocert.org/analysis/2008-014/wordnet.patch.
- WordNet Web page, WordNet at http://wordnet.princeton.edu/.
- BID-30958: WordNet Multiple Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities
- CVE-2008-3908: Multiple buffer overflows in Princeton WordNet (wn) 3.0 allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long argument on the command line; a long (2) WNSEARCHDIR, (3) WNHOME, or (4) WNDBVERSION environment variable; or (5) a user-supplied dictionary (aka data file). NOTE: since WordNet itself does not run with special privileges, this issue only crosses privilege boundaries when WordNet is invoked as a third party component.
- DSA-1634: wordnet -- stack and heap overflows
- GLSA-200810-01: WordNet: Execution of arbitrary code
- MDVSA-2008:182-1: wordnet
Reported:
Sep 01, 2008
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