GLSA-200509-08 : Python: Heap overflow in the included PCRE library

high Nessus Plugin ID 19687

Synopsis

The remote Gentoo host is missing one or more security-related patches.

Description

The remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-200509-08 (Python: Heap overflow in the included PCRE library)

The 're' Python module makes use of a private copy of libpcre which is subject to an integer overflow leading to a heap overflow (see GLSA 200508-17).
Impact :

An attacker could target a Python-based web application (or SUID application) that would use untrusted data as regular expressions, potentially resulting in the execution of arbitrary code (or privilege escalation).
Workaround :

Python users that don't run any Python web application or SUID application (or that run one that wouldn't use untrusted inputs as regular expressions) are not affected by this issue.

Solution

All Python users should upgrade to the latest version:
# emerge --sync # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose '>=dev-lang/python-2.3.5-r2'

See Also

https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/200508-17

https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/200509-08

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 19687

File Name: gentoo_GLSA-200509-08.nasl

Version: 1.22

Type: local

Published: 9/13/2005

Updated: 1/6/2021

Supported Sensors: Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 5.9

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 7.5

Temporal Score: 5.5

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

Vulnerability Information

CPE: p-cpe:/a:gentoo:linux:python, cpe:/o:gentoo:linux

Required KB Items: Host/local_checks_enabled, Host/Gentoo/release, Host/Gentoo/qpkg-list

Exploit Ease: No known exploits are available

Patch Publication Date: 9/12/2005

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2005-2491

BID: 14620

GLSA: 200509-08