acroread: UUDecode filename buffer overflow

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200408-14 / acroread
Release Date	August 15, 2004
Latest Revision	May 22, 2006: 03
Impact	normal
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
app-text/acroread	<= 5.08	>= 5.09	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #60205

Synopsis

acroread contains two errors in the handling of UUEncoded filenames that may lead to execution of arbitrary code or programs.

2. Impact Information

Background

acroread is Adobe's Acrobat PDF reader for Linux.

Description

acroread contains two errors in the handling of UUEncoded filenames. First, it fails to check the length of a filename before copying it into a fixed size buffer and, secondly, it fails to check for the backtick shell metacharacter in the filename before executing a command with a shell.

Impact

By enticing a user to open a PDF with a specially crafted filename, an attacker could execute arbitrary code or programs with the permissions of the user running acroread.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

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

Resolution

All acroread users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge sync

# emerge -pv ">=app-text/acroread-5.09"
# emerge ">=app-text/acroread-5.09"

4. References

Page updated August 15, 2004

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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