file: Denial of Service

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 201209-14 / file
Release Date	September 26, 2012
Latest Revision	September 26, 2012: 1
Impact	normal
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
sys-apps/file	< 5.11	>= 5.11	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #427368

Synopsis

A vulnerability in file could result in Denial of Service.

2. Impact Information

Background

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

Description

Multiple out-of-bounds read errors and invalid pointer dereference errors have been found in cdf.c.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to open a specially crafted Composite Document File (CDF) using file, possibly resulting in a Denial of Service condition.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All file users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

  # emerge --sync
  # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/file-5.11"

4. References

CVE-2012-1571

Page updated September 26, 2012

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Security Team
Contact Address

Donate to support our development efforts.