CVS heap overflow vulnerability

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200405-12 / cvs
Release Date	May 20, 2004
Latest Revision	May 20, 2004: 01
Impact	high
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
dev-util/cvs	<= 1.11.15	>= 1.11.16	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #51460

Synopsis

CVS is subject to a heap overflow vulnerability allowing source repository compromise.

2. Impact Information

Background

CVS (Concurrent Versions System) is an open-source network-transparent version control system. It contains both a client utility and a server.

Description

Stefan Esser discovered a heap overflow in the CVS server, which can be triggered by sending malicious "Entry" lines and manipulating the flags related to that Entry. This vulnerability was proven to be exploitable.

Impact

A remote attacker can execute arbitrary code on the CVS server, with the rights of the CVS server. By default, Gentoo uses the "cvs" user to run the CVS server. In particular, this flaw allows a complete compromise of CVS source repositories. If you're not running a server, then you are not vulnerable.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time. All users are advised to upgrade to the latest available version of CVS.

Resolution

All users running a CVS server should upgrade to the latest stable version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge sync
# emerge -pv ">=dev-util/cvs-1.11.16"
# emerge ">=dev-util/cvs-1.11.16"

4. References

Updated May 20, 2004

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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