[ GLSA 200410-08 ] ncompress: Buffer overflow

[Thierry Carrez <koon () gentoo org>]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200410-08
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: ncompress: Buffer overflow
      Date: October 09, 2004
      Bugs: #66251
        ID: 200410-08

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Synopsis
========

compress and uncompress, which could be used by daemon programs,
contain a buffer overflow that could lead to remote execution of
arbitrary code with the rights of the daemon process.

Background
==========

ncompress is a utility handling compression and decompression of
Lempel-Ziv archives, compatible with the original *nix compress and
uncompress utilities (.Z extensions).

Affected packages
=================

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package             /  Vulnerable  /                   Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  app-arch/ncompress      <= 4.2.4                      >= 4.2.4-r1

Description
===========

compress and uncompress do not properly check bounds on command line
options, including the filename. Large parameters would trigger a
buffer overflow.

Impact
======

By supplying a carefully crafted filename or other option, an attacker
could execute arbitrary code on the system. A local attacker could only
execute code with his own rights, but since compress and uncompress are
called by various daemon programs, this might also allow a remote
attacker to execute code with the rights of the daemon making use of
ncompress.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All ncompress users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge sync

    # emerge -pv ">=app-arch/ncompress-4.2.4-r1"
    # emerge ">=app-arch/ncompress-4.2.4-r1"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] US-CERT Vulnerability Note VU#176363
        http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/176363

Availability
============

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at
the Gentoo Security Website:

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200410-08.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
http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
=======

Copyright 2004 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text
belongs to its owner(s).

The contents of this document are licensed under the
Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0

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