[Full-disclosure] [ GLSA 200701-06 ] w3m: Format string vulnerability

[Raphael Marichez]

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Gentoo Linux Security Advisory                           GLSA 200701-06
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                                            http://security.gentoo.org/
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  Severity: Normal
     Title: w3m: Format string vulnerability
      Date: January 12, 2007
      Bugs: #159145
        ID: 200701-06

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Synopsis
========

w3m does not correctly handle format string specifiers in SSL
certificates.

Background
==========

w3m is a multi-platform text-based web browser.

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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------
     Package         /  Vulnerable  /                       Unaffected
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  www-client/w3m     < 0.5.1-r4                         >= 0.5.1-r4

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

w3m in -dump or -backend mode does not correctly handle printf() format
string specifiers in the Common Name (CN) field of an X.509 SSL
certificate.

Impact
======

An attacker could entice a user to visit a malicious website that would
load a specially crafted X.509 SSL certificate containing "%n" or other
format string specifiers, possibly resulting in the execution of
arbitrary code with the rights of the user running w3m.

Workaround
==========

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution
==========

All w3m users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=www-client/w3m-0.5.1-r4"

References
==========

  [ 1 ] CVE-2006-6772
        http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-6772

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

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

  http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200701-06.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 at gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at
http://bugs.gentoo.org.

License
=======

Copyright 2007 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
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