HTMLDOC: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200909-12 / htmldoc
Release Date	September 12, 2009
Latest Revision	September 12, 2009: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
app-text/htmldoc	< 1.8.27-r1	>= 1.8.27-r1	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #278186

Synopsis

Multiple insecure calls to the sscanf() function in HTMLDOC might result in the execution of arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

HTMLDOC is a HTML indexer and HTML to PS and PDF converter.

Description

ANTHRAX666 reported an insecure call to the sscanf() function in the set_page_size() function in htmldoc/util.cxx. Nico Golde of the Debian Security Team found two more insecure calls in the write_type1() function in htmldoc/ps-pdf.cxx and the htmlLoadFontWidths() function in htmldoc/htmllib.cxx.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to process a specially crafted HTML file using htmldoc, possibly resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. NOTE: Additional vectors via specially crafted AFM font metric files do not cross trust boundaries, as the files can only be modified by privileged users.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All HTMLDOC users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-text/htmldoc-1.8.27-r1"

4. References

CVE-2009-3050

Page updated September 12, 2009

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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