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File: Denial of Service

Content:

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Version Information

Advisory Reference GLSA 200704-13 / file
Release Date April 17, 2007
Latest Revision September 17, 2007: 02
Impact normal
Exploitable remote
Package Vulnerable versions Unaffected versions Architecture(s)
sys-apps/file = 4.21 >= 4.21-r1 Intel compatible

Related bugreports: #174217

Synopsis

A vulnerability has been discovered in file allowing for a denial of service.

2. Impact Information

Background

file is a utility that identifies a file format by scanning binary data for patterns.

Description

Conor Edberg discovered an error in the way file processes a specific regular expression.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to open a specially crafted file, using excessive CPU ressources and possibly leading to a Denial of Service. Note that this vulnerability could be also triggered through an automatic file scanner like amavisd-new.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All file users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/file-4.20-r1"

4. References



Print

Updated April 17, 2007

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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