zlib: Buffer overflow

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200507-05 / zlib
Release Date	July 06, 2005
Latest Revision	July 06, 2005: 01
Impact	high
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
sys-libs/zlib	< 1.2.2-r1	>= 1.2.2-r1	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #98121

Synopsis

A buffer overflow has been discovered in zlib, potentially resulting in the execution of arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

zlib is a widely used free and patent unencumbered data compression library.

Description

Tavis Ormandy of the Gentoo Linux Security Audit Team discovered a buffer overflow in zlib. A bounds checking operation failed to take invalid data into account, allowing a specifically malformed deflate data stream to overrun a buffer.

Impact

An attacker could construct a malformed data stream, embedding it within network communication or an application file format, potentially resulting in the execution of arbitrary code when decoded by the application using the zlib library.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All zlib users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-libs/zlib-1.2.2-r1"

4. References

CAN-2005-2096

Updated July 06, 2005

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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