libxml2: Remotely exploitable buffer overflow — GLSA 200411-05

libxml2 contains multiple buffer overflows which could lead to the execution of arbitrary code.

Affected packages

Background

libxml2 is an XML parsing library written in C.

Description

Multiple buffer overflows have been detected in the nanoftp and nanohttp modules. These modules are responsible for parsing URLs with ftp information, and resolving names via DNS.

Impact

An attacker could exploit an application that uses libxml2 by forcing it to parse a specially-crafted XML file, potentially causing remote execution of arbitrary code.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-libs/libxml2-2.6.15"

References

• BugTraq Advisory
• libxml2 ChangeLog
• CAN-2004-0989

Release date
November 02, 2004

Latest revision
November 02, 2004: 01

Severity
high

Exploitable
remote

Bugzilla entries

• 69154