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Home >> Browse Vulnerability Assessment Database >> Gentoo Local Security Checks >> [GLSA-200407-11] wv: Buffer overflow vulnerability

Vulnerability Assessment Details

[GLSA-200407-11] wv: Buffer overflow vulnerability

Vulnerability Assessment Summary
wv: Buffer overflow vulnerability

Detailed Explanation for this Vulnerability Assessment
The remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-200407-11
(wv: Buffer overflow vulnerability)

A use of strcat without proper bounds checking leads to an exploitable
buffer overflow. The vulnerable code is executed when wv encounters an
unrecognized token, so a specially crafted file, loaded in wv, can trigger
the vulnerable code and execute it's own arbitrary code. This exploit is
only possible when the user loads the document into HTML view mode.

Impact

By inducing a user into running wv on a special file, a possible hacker can
execute arbitrary code with the permissions of the user running the
vulnerable program.

Workaround

Users should not view untrusted documents with wvHtml or applications using
wv. When loading an untrusted document in an application using the wv
library, make sure HTML view is disabled.

References:
http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=115&type=vulnerabilities&flashstatus=true

Solution:
All users should upgrade to the latest available version.
# emerge sync
# emerge -pv ">=app-text/wv-1.0.0-r1"
# emerge ">=app-text/wv-1.0.0-r1"

Network Security Threat Level: Medium

Networks Security ID:

Vulnerability Assessment Copyright: (C) 2005 Michel Arboi

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