A ncompress security update has been released for Gentoo Linux

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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
================

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Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
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1 app-arch/ncompress = 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