Gentoo 2479 Published by

A pstotext update has been released for Gentoo Linux

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200507-29
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: Normal
Title: pstotext: Remote execution of arbitrary code
Date: July 31, 2005
Bugs: #100245
ID: 200507-29

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Synopsis
=======

pstotext contains a vulnerability which can potentially result in the execution of arbitrary code.



Background
=========

pstotext is a program that works with GhostScript to extract plain text from PostScript and PDF files.

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

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Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
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1 app-text/pstotext < 1.8g-r1 >= 1.8g-r1

Description
==========

Max Vozeler reported that pstotext calls the GhostScript interpreter on untrusted PostScript files without specifying the -dSAFER option.

Impact
=====

An attacker could craft a malicious PostScript file and entice a user to run pstotext on it, resulting in the execution of arbitrary commands with the permissions of the user running pstotext.

Workaround
=========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
=========

All pstotext users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-text/pstotext-1.8g-r1"

References
=========

[ 1 ] Secunia Advisory SA16183
http://secunia.com/advisories/16183/

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

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

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200507-29.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 2005 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/2.0