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[ GLSA 200809-15 ] GNU ed: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code



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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200809-15
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                                             http://security.gentoo.org/
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   Severity: Normal
      Title: GNU ed: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code
       Date: September 23, 2008
       Bugs: #236521
         ID: 200809-15

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Synopsis
========

A buffer overflow vulnerability in ed may allow for the remote
execution of arbitrary code.

Background
==========

GNU ed is a basic line editor. red is a restricted version of ed that
does not allow shell command execution.

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

     -------------------------------------------------------------------
      Package      /  Vulnerable  /                          Unaffected
     -------------------------------------------------------------------
   1  sys-apps/ed        < 1.0                                   >= 1.0

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

Alfredo Ortega from Core Security Technologies reported a heap-based
buffer overflow in the strip_escapes() function when processing overly
long filenames.

Impact
======

A remote attacker could entice a user to process specially crafted
commands with ed or red, possibly resulting in the execution of
arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All GNU ed users should upgrade to the latest version:

     # emerge --sync
     # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/ed-1.0"

References
==========

   [ 1 ] CVE-2008-3916
         http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-3916

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

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

   http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200809-15.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 2008 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/2.5



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