Evolution: Format string vulnerabilities

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200508-12 / evolution
Release Date	August 23, 2005
Latest Revision	August 23, 2005: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
mail-client/evolution	< 2.2.3-r3	>= 2.2.3-r3	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #102051

Synopsis

Evolution is vulnerable to format string vulnerabilities which may result in remote execution of arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

Evolution is a GNOME groupware application.

Description

Ulf Harnhammar discovered that Evolution is vulnerable to format string bugs when viewing attached vCards and when displaying contact information from remote LDAP servers or task list data from remote servers (CAN-2005-2549). He also discovered that Evolution fails to handle special calendar entries if the user switches to the Calendars tab (CAN-2005-2550).

Impact

An attacker could attach specially crafted vCards to emails or setup malicious LDAP servers or calendar entries which would trigger the format string vulnerabilities when viewed or accessed from Evolution. This could potentially result in the execution of arbitrary code with the rights of the user running Evolution.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Evolution users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=mail-client/evolution-2.2.3-r3"

4. References

Page updated August 23, 2005

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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