Python: Integer overflows

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200907-16 / python
Release Date	July 19, 2009
Latest Revision	July 19, 2009: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
dev-lang/python	< 2.5.4-r2	>= 2.5.4-r2, revision >= 2.4.6	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #246991

Synopsis

Multiple integer overflows in Python have an unspecified impact.

2. Impact Information

Background

Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language.

Description

Chris Evans reported multiple integer overflows in the expandtabs method, as implemented by (1) the string_expandtabs function in Objects/stringobject.c and (2) the unicode_expandtabs function in Objects/unicodeobject.c.

Impact

A remote attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities in Python applications or daemons that pass user-controlled input to vulnerable functions. The security impact is currently unknown but may include the execution of arbitrary code or a Denial of Service.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Python 2.5 users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-lang/python-2.5.4-r2"

All Python 2.4 users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.2: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-lang/python-2.4.6"

4. References

CVE-2008-5031

Updated July 19, 2009

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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