GLSA 200904-07: Xpdf: Untrusted search path

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	normal
Title:	Xpdf: Untrusted search path
Date:	04/07/2009
Bugs:	#242930
ID:	200904-07

Synopsis

A vulnerability in Xpdf might allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Background

Xpdf is a PDF file viewer that runs under the X Window System.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
app-text/xpdf	< 3.02-r2	>= 3.02-r2	All supported architectures

Description

Erik Wallin reported that Gentoo's Xpdf attempts to read the "xpdfrc" file from the current working directory if it cannot find a ".xpdfrc" file in the user's home directory. This is caused by a missing definition of the SYSTEM_XPDFRC macro when compiling a repackaged version of Xpdf.

Impact

A local attacker could entice a user to run "xpdf" from a directory containing a specially crafted "xpdfrc" file, resulting in the execution of arbitrary code when attempting to, e.g., print a file.

Workaround

Do not run Xpdf from untrusted working directories.

Resolution

All Xpdf users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-text/xpdf-3.02-r2"

References

CVE-2009-1144

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200904-07.xml

Concerns?

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at https://bugs.gentoo.org.