A new security update has been released for Gentoo Linux - flex: Potential insecure code generation. Here the announcement:
Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200603-07
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: Normal
Title: flex: Potential insecure code generation
Date: March 10, 2006
Bugs: #122940
ID: 200603-07
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Synopsis
========
flex might generate code with a buffer overflow, making applications
using such scanners vulnerable to the execution of arbitrary code.
Background
==========
flex is a programming tool used to generate scanners (programs which
recognize lexical patterns in text).
Affected packages
=================
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1 sys-devel/flex < 2.5.33-r1 >= 2.5.33-r1
Description
===========
Chris Moore discovered a buffer overflow in a special class of
lexicographical scanners generated by flex. Only scanners generated by
grammars which use either REJECT, or rules with a "variable trailing
context" might be at risk.
Impact
======
An attacker could feed malicious input to an application making use of
an affected scanner and trigger the buffer overflow, potentially
resulting in the execution of arbitrary code.
Workaround
==========
Avoid using vulnerable grammar in your flex scanners.
Resolution
==========
All flex users should upgrade to the latest version:
# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-devel/flex-2.5.33-r1"
References
==========
[ 1 ] CVE-2006-0459
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-0459
Availability
============
This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at
the Gentoo Security Website:
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200603-07.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
http://bugs.gentoo.org.
License
=======
Copyright 2006 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
