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

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200909-12
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http://security.gentoo.org/
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Severity: Normal
Title: HTMLDOC: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code
Date: September 12, 2009
Bugs: #278186
ID: 200909-12

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Synopsis
========

Multiple insecure calls to the sscanf() function in HTMLDOC might
result in the execution of arbitrary code.

Background
==========

HTMLDOC is a HTML indexer and HTML to PS and PDF converter.

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1 app-text/htmldoc < 1.8.27-r1 >= 1.8.27-r1

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

ANTHRAX666 reported an insecure call to the sscanf() function in the
set_page_size() function in htmldoc/util.cxx. Nico Golde of the Debian
Security Team found two more insecure calls in the write_type1()
function in htmldoc/ps-pdf.cxx and the htmlLoadFontWidths() function in
htmldoc/htmllib.cxx.

Impact
======

A remote attacker could entice a user to process a specially crafted
HTML file using htmldoc, possibly resulting in the execution of
arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.
NOTE: Additional vectors via specially crafted AFM font metric files do
not cross trust boundaries, as the files can only be modified by
privileged users.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All HTMLDOC users should upgrade to the latest version:

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose =app-text/htmldoc-1.8.27-r1

References
==========

[ 1 ] CVE-2009-3050
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-3050

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

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

http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200909-12.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
https://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