file: Integer underflow

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200703-26 / file
Release Date	March 30, 2007
Latest Revision	March 30, 2007: 01
Impact	high
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
sys-apps/file	< 4.20	>= 4.20	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #171452

Synopsis

A buffer underflow vulnerability has been reported in file allowing for the user-assisted execution of arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

file is a utility that guesses a file format by scanning binary data for patterns.

Description

Jean-Sebastien Guay-Leroux reported an integer underflow in file_printf function.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to run the "file" program on a specially crafted file that would trigger a heap-based buffer overflow possibly leading to the execution of arbitrary code with the rights of the user running "file". Note that this vulnerability could be also triggered through an automatic file scanner like amavisd-new.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

Since file is a system package, all Gentoo users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/file-4.20"

4. References

CVE-2007-1536

Page updated March 30, 2007

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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