GLSA 200902-04 xterm: User-assisted arbitrary commands execution

Posted by Bob on: 02/12/2009 10:55 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

A new security update has been released for Gentoo Linux - xterm: User-assisted arbitrary commands execution. Here the announcement:

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200902-04
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: Normal
Title: xterm: User-assisted arbitrary commands execution
Date: February 12, 2009
Bugs: #253155
ID: 200902-04

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Synopsis
========

An error in the processing of special sequences in xterm may lead to
arbitrary commands execution.

Background
==========

xterm is a terminal emulator for the X Window system.

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1 x11-terms/xterm lt; 239 gt;= 239

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

Paul Szabo reported an insufficient input sanitization when processing
Device Control Request Status String (DECRQSS) sequences.

Impact
======

A remote attacker could entice a user to display a file containing
specially crafted DECRQSS sequences, possibly resulting in the remote
execution of arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user viewing
the file.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All xterm users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose "gt;=x11-terms/xterm-239"

References
==========

[ 1 ] CVE-2008-2383
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-2383

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

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

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200902-04.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 2009 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/2.5