[ GLSA 200507-29 ] pstotext: Remote execution of arbitrary code

[Stefan Cornelius <dercorny () gentoo org>]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200507-29
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: pstotext: Remote execution of arbitrary code
      Date: July 31, 2005
      Bugs: #100245
        ID: 200507-29

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Synopsis
========

pstotext contains a vulnerability which can potentially result in the
execution of arbitrary code.

Background
==========

pstotext is a program that works with GhostScript to extract plain text
from PostScript and PDF files.

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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package            /  Vulnerable  /                    Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  app-text/pstotext      < 1.8g-r1                       >= 1.8g-r1

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

Max Vozeler reported that pstotext calls the GhostScript interpreter on
untrusted PostScript files without specifying the -dSAFER option.

Impact
======

An attacker could craft a malicious PostScript file and entice a user
to run pstotext on it, resulting in the execution of arbitrary commands
with the permissions of the user running pstotext.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All pstotext users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-text/pstotext-1.8g-r1"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] Secunia Advisory SA16183
        http://secunia.com/advisories/16183/

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

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

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200507-29.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 2005 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

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