Xpdf: Untrusted search path

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200904-07 / xpdf
Release Date	April 07, 2009
Latest Revision	April 07, 2009: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	local

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
app-text/xpdf	< 3.02-r2	>= 3.02-r2	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #242930

Synopsis

A vulnerability in Xpdf might allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

Xpdf is a PDF file viewer that runs under the X Window System.

Description

Erik Wallin reported that Gentoo's Xpdf attempts to read the "xpdfrc" file from the current working directory if it cannot find a ".xpdfrc" file in the user's home directory. This is caused by a missing definition of the SYSTEM_XPDFRC macro when compiling a repackaged version of Xpdf.

Impact

A local attacker could entice a user to run "xpdf" from a directory containing a specially crafted "xpdfrc" file, resulting in the execution of arbitrary code when attempting to, e.g., print a file.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

Do not run Xpdf from untrusted working directories.

Resolution

All Xpdf users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-text/xpdf-3.02-r2"

4. References

CVE-2009-1144

Page updated April 07, 2009

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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