[ GLSA 200408-14 ] acroread: UUDecode filename buffer overflow

[GLSA]

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Title: acroread: UUDecode filename buffer overflow (GLSA 200408-14)
Severity: normal
Exploitable: remote
Date: August 15, 2004
Updated: May 22, 2006
Bug(s): #60205
ID: 200408-14

Synopsis


acroread contains two errors in the handling of UUEncoded filenames that
may lead to execution of arbitrary code or programs.


Background


acroread is Adobe's Acrobat PDF reader for Linux.


Affected Packages

Package: app-text/acroread
Vulnerable: <= 5.08
Unaffected: >= 5.09
Architectures: All supported architectures


Description


acroread contains two errors in the handling of UUEncoded filenames.
First, it fails to check the length of a filename before copying it
into a fixed size buffer and, secondly, it fails to check for the
backtick shell metacharacter in the filename before executing a command
with a shell.


Impact


By enticing a user to open a PDF with a specially crafted filename, an
attacker could execute arbitrary code or programs with the permissions
of the user running acroread.


Workaround


There is no known workaround at this time. All users are encouraged to
upgrade to the latest available version of acroread.


Resolution


All acroread users should upgrade to the latest version: