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[ GLSA 200507-29 ] pstotext: Remote execution of arbitrary code



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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200507-29
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: pstotext: Remote execution of arbitrary code
      Date: July 31, 2005
      Bugs: #100245
        ID: 200507-29

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Synopsis
========

pstotext contains a vulnerability which can potentially result in the
execution of arbitrary code.

Background
==========

pstotext is a program that works with GhostScript to extract plain text
from PostScript and PDF files.

Affected packages
=================

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package            /  Vulnerable  /                    Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  app-text/pstotext      < 1.8g-r1                       >= 1.8g-r1

Description
===========

Max Vozeler reported that pstotext calls the GhostScript interpreter on
untrusted PostScript files without specifying the -dSAFER option.

Impact
======

An attacker could craft a malicious PostScript file and entice a user
to run pstotext on it, resulting in the execution of arbitrary commands
with the permissions of the user running pstotext.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All pstotext users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-text/pstotext-1.8g-r1"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] Secunia Advisory SA16183
        http://secunia.com/advisories/16183/

Availability
============

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at
the Gentoo Security Website:

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200507-29.xml

Concerns?
=========

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the
confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost
importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to
security@xxxxxxxxxx or alternatively, you may file a bug at
http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
=======

Copyright 2005 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text
belongs to its owner(s).

The contents of this document are licensed under the
Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0

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