Security
Security
The "re" Python module is vulnerable to a heap overflow, possibly leading to the execution of arbitrary code.
| Package | dev-lang/python on all architectures |
|---|---|
| Affected versions | < 2.3.5-r2 |
| Unaffected versions | >= 2.3.5-r2 |
Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, cross-platform programming language. The "re" Python module provides regular expression functions.
The "re" Python module makes use of a private copy of libpcre which is subject to an integer overflow leading to a heap overflow (see GLSA 200508-17).
An attacker could target a Python-based web application (or SUID application) that would use untrusted data as regular expressions, potentially resulting in the execution of arbitrary code (or privilege escalation).
Python users that don't run any Python web application or SUID application (or that run one that wouldn't use untrusted inputs as regular expressions) are not affected by this issue.
All Python users should upgrade to the latest version:
# emerge --sync # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-lang/python-2.3.5-r2"
Release date
September 12, 2005
Latest revision
September 12, 2005: 01
Severity
normal
Exploitable
remote
Bugzilla entries