[ GLSA 200510-15 ] Lynx: Buffer overflow in NNTP processing

[Sune Kloppenborg Jeppesen <jaervosz () gentoo org>]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200510-15
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: Lynx: Buffer overflow in NNTP processing
      Date: October 17, 2005
      Bugs: #108451
        ID: 200510-15

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Synopsis
========

Lynx contains a buffer overflow that may be exploited to execute
arbitrary code.

Background
==========

Lynx is a text-mode browser for the World Wide Web. It supports
multiple URL types, including HTTP and NNTP URLs.

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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package          /  Vulnerable  /                      Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  www-client/lynx     < 2.8.5-r1                        >= 2.8.5-r1

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

When accessing a NNTP URL, Lynx connects to a NNTP server and retrieves
information about the available articles in the target newsgroup. Ulf
Harnhammar discovered a buffer overflow in a function that handles the
escaping of special characters.

Impact
======

An attacker could setup a malicious NNTP server and entice a user to
access it using Lynx (either by creating NNTP links on a web page or by
forcing a redirect for Lynx users). The data returned by the NNTP
server would trigger the buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code
with the rights of the user running Lynx.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All Lynx users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=www-client/lynx-2.8.5-r1"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] CAN-2005-3120
        http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2005-3120

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

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

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200510-15.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 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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