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

[GLSA]

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Title: pstotext: Remote execution of arbitrary code (GLSA 200507-29)
Severity: normal
Exploitable: remote
Date: July 31, 2005
Updated: August 11, 2005
Bug(s): #100245
ID: 200507-29

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: app-text/pstotext
Vulnerable: < 1.8g-r1
Unaffected: >= 1.8g-r1
Architectures: All supported architectures


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: