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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200809-15
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                                              http://security.gentoo.org/
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    Severity: Normal
       Title: GNU ed: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code
        Date: September 23, 2008
        Bugs: #236521
          ID: 200809-15

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Synopsis
=======
A buffer overflow vulnerability in ed may allow for the remote
execution of arbitrary code.

Background
=========
GNU ed is a basic line editor. red is a restricted version of ed that
does not allow shell command execution.

Affected packages
================
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
       Package      /  Vulnerable  /                          Unaffected
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
    1  sys-apps/ed        < 1.0                                   >= 1.0

Description
==========
Alfredo Ortega from Core Security Technologies reported a heap-based
buffer overflow in the strip_escapes() function when processing overly
long filenames.

Impact
=====
A remote attacker could entice a user to process specially crafted
commands with ed or red, possibly resulting in the execution of
arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.

Workaround
=========
There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
=========
All GNU ed users should upgrade to the latest version:

      # emerge --sync
      # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/ed-1.0"

References
=========
    [ 1 ] CVE-2008-3916
          http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-3916

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

    http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200809-15.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 2008 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