file: Integer overflow

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200705-25 / file
Release Date	May 31, 2007
Latest Revision	June 01, 2007: 02
Impact	high
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
sys-apps/file	< 4.21	>= 4.21	x86 ppc hppa

Related bugreports: #179583

Synopsis

An integer overflow vulnerability has been reported in file allowing for the user-assisted execution of arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

file is a utility that guesses a file format by scanning binary data for patterns.

Description

Colin Percival from FreeBSD reported that the previous fix for the file_printf() buffer overflow introduced a new integer overflow.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to run the file program on an overly large file (more than 1Gb) that would trigger an integer overflow on 32-bit systems, possibly leading to the execution of arbitrary code with the rights of the user running file.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

Since file is a system package, all Gentoo users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/file-4.21"

4. References

CVE-2007-2799

Updated May 31, 2007

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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