Python: Buffer Overflow — GLSA 200610-07

A buffer overflow in Python's "repr()" function can be exploited to cause a Denial of Service and potentially allows the execution of arbitrary code.

Affected packages

dev-lang/python on all architectures
Affected versions < 2.4.3-r4
Unaffected versions >= 2.4.3-r4
revision >= 2.3.5-r3
revision >= 2.3.6

Background

Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented, cross-platform programming language.

Description

Benjamin C. Wiley Sittler discovered a buffer overflow in Python's "repr()" function when handling UTF-32/UCS-4 encoded strings.

Impact

If a Python application processes attacker-supplied data with the "repr()" function, this could potentially lead to the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application or a Denial of Service.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Python users should update to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-lang/python-2.4.3-r4"

References

Release date
October 17, 2006

Latest revision
February 26, 2007: 03

Severity
normal

Exploitable
remote

Bugzilla entries