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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200410-08
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: ncompress: Buffer overflow
      Date: October 09, 2004
      Bugs: #66251
        ID: 200410-08

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Synopsis
========

compress and uncompress, which could be used by daemon programs,
contain a buffer overflow that could lead to remote execution of
arbitrary code with the rights of the daemon process.

Background
==========

ncompress is a utility handling compression and decompression of
Lempel-Ziv archives, compatible with the original *nix compress and
uncompress utilities (.Z extensions).

Affected packages
=================

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package             /  Vulnerable  /                   Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  app-arch/ncompress      <= 4.2.4                      >= 4.2.4-r1

Description
===========

compress and uncompress do not properly check bounds on command line
options, including the filename. Large parameters would trigger a
buffer overflow.

Impact
======

By supplying a carefully crafted filename or other option, an attacker
could execute arbitrary code on the system. A local attacker could only
execute code with his own rights, but since compress and uncompress are
called by various daemon programs, this might also allow a remote
attacker to execute code with the rights of the daemon making use of
ncompress.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All ncompress users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge sync

    # emerge -pv ">=app-arch/ncompress-4.2.4-r1"
    # emerge ">=app-arch/ncompress-4.2.4-r1"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] US-CERT Vulnerability Note VU#176363
        http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/176363

Availability
============

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at
the Gentoo Security Website:

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200410-08.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
http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
=======

Copyright 2004 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text
belongs to its owner(s).

The contents of this document are licensed under the
Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0