[ GLSA 200706-03 ] ELinks: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code

[GLSA]

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Title: ELinks: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code (GLSA 200706-03)
Severity: normal
Exploitable: local
Date: June 06, 2007
Bug(s): #177512
ID: 200706-03

Synopsis

A vulnerability has been discovered in ELinks allowing for the user-assisted execution of arbitrary code.

Background

ELinks is a text-mode web browser.

Affected Packages

Package: www-client/elinks
Vulnerable: < 0.11.2-r1
Unaffected: >= 0.11.2-r1
Architectures: All supported architectures


Description

Arnaud Giersch discovered that the "add_filename_to_string()" function in file intl/gettext/loadmsgcat.c uses an untrusted relative path, allowing for a format string attack with a malicious .po file.

Impact

A local attacker could entice a user to run ELinks in a specially crafted directory environment containing a malicious ".po" file, possibly resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running ELinks.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All ELinks users should upgrade to the latest version: