[ GLSA 200909-12 ] HTMLDOC: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code

[GLSA]

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Title: HTMLDOC: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code (GLSA 200909-12)
Severity: normal
Exploitable: remote
Date: September 12, 2009
Bug(s): #278186
ID: 200909-12

Synopsis


Multiple insecure calls to the sscanf() function in HTMLDOC might result in
the execution of arbitrary code.


Background


HTMLDOC is a HTML indexer and HTML to PS and PDF converter.


Affected Packages

Package: app-text/htmldoc
Vulnerable: < 1.8.27-r1
Unaffected: >= 1.8.27-r1
Architectures: All supported architectures


Description


ANTHRAX666 reported an insecure call to the sscanf() function in the
set_page_size() function in htmldoc/util.cxx. Nico Golde of the Debian
Security Team found two more insecure calls in the write_type1()
function in htmldoc/ps-pdf.cxx and the htmlLoadFontWidths() function in
htmldoc/htmllib.cxx.


Impact


A remote attacker could entice a user to process a specially crafted
HTML file using htmldoc, possibly resulting in the execution of
arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.
NOTE: Additional vectors via specially crafted AFM font metric files do
not cross trust boundaries, as the files can only be modified by
privileged users.


Workaround


There is no known workaround at this time.


Resolution


All HTMLDOC users should upgrade to the latest version: