Updated ncompress packages are available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1

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Red Hat Security Advisory

Synopsis: Updated ncompress package fixes security issue and bug.
Advisory ID: RHSA-2004:536-01
Advisory URL: https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2004-536.html
Issue date: 2004-12-13
Updated on: 2004-12-13
Product: Red Hat Enterprise Linux
CVE Names: CAN-2001-1413
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1. Summary:

An updated ncompress package that fixes a buffer overflow and problem in the handling of files larger than 2 GB is now available.

2. Relevant releases/architectures:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (Advanced Server) version 2.1 - i386, ia64
Red Hat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 - ia64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 2.1 - i386
Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 2.1 - i386



3. Problem description:

The ncompress package contains the compress and uncompress file compression and decompression utilities, which are compatible with the original UNIX compress utility (.Z file extensions).

A bug in the way ncompress handles long filenames has been discovered. ncompress versions 4.2.4 and earlier contain a stack based buffer overflow when handling very long filenames. It is possible that an attacker could execute arbitrary code on a victims machine by tricking the user into decompressing a carefully crafted filename. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CAN-2001-1413 to this issue.

This updated ncompress package also fixes a problem in the handling of files larger than 2 GB.

All users of ncompress should upgrade to this updated package, which contains fixes for these issues.

4. Solution:

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released errata relevant to your system have been applied. Use Red Hat Network to download and update your packages. To launch the Red Hat Update Agent, use the following command:

up2date

For information on how to install packages manually, refer to the following Web page for the System Administration or Customization guide specific to your system:

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/

5. Bug IDs fixed (http://bugzilla.redhat.com/ for more info):

126776 - [RHEL2.1] compress does not work if the file size is greater than 2GB
136661 - CAN-2001-1413 Stack-based buffer overflow in the comprexx function

6. RPMs required:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (Advanced Server) version 2.1:

SRPMS:
ftp://updates.redhat.com/enterprise/2.1AS/en/os/SRPMS/ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm
514bcc89bdd8d5a71fc5d01ce2f2ac61 ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm

i386:
b3cd3462d6a09d8d7d14c4e7b2744923 ncompress-4.2.4-37.i386.rpm

ia64:
36338acd3f00f119ed4b50fe2c67663d ncompress-4.2.4-37.ia64.rpm

Red Hat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1:

SRPMS:
ftp://updates.redhat.com/enterprise/2.1AW/en/os/SRPMS/ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm
514bcc89bdd8d5a71fc5d01ce2f2ac61 ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm

ia64:
36338acd3f00f119ed4b50fe2c67663d ncompress-4.2.4-37.ia64.rpm

Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 2.1:

SRPMS:
ftp://updates.redhat.com/enterprise/2.1ES/en/os/SRPMS/ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm
514bcc89bdd8d5a71fc5d01ce2f2ac61 ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm

i386:
b3cd3462d6a09d8d7d14c4e7b2744923 ncompress-4.2.4-37.i386.rpm

Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 2.1:

SRPMS:
ftp://updates.redhat.com/enterprise/2.1WS/en/os/SRPMS/ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm
514bcc89bdd8d5a71fc5d01ce2f2ac61 ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm

i386:
b3cd3462d6a09d8d7d14c4e7b2744923 ncompress-4.2.4-37.i386.rpm

These packages are GPG signed by Red Hat for security. Our key and details on how to verify the signature are available from https://www.redhat.com/security/team/key.html#package

7. References:

http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/176363
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2001-1413

8. Contact:

The Red Hat security contact is secalert@redhat.com. More contact details at https://www.redhat.com/security/team/contact.html

Copyright 2004 Red Hat, Inc.