Vulnerability Discovered in X Font Server
Two protocol handlers give attackers the ability to inject malicious code into X Font Server (XFS). Linux systems are only vulnerable to local attacks. The X Font Server is not accessible over networks by default.
The bug (CVE-2007-4568) in the handler for QueryXBitmap and QueryXExtents protocol requests can trigger integer overflows. In both protocols this triggers a call to the "build_range()" function which expects a 32 bit integer value with the request, and calculates the dynamic memory size. The calculation can overflow causing incorrect memory allocation. This results in a heap overflow. A second vulnerability affects the "swap_char2b()". Calling the function gives attackers the ability to store an arbitrary number of values on the heap. A successful exploit would give an attacker the ability to execute arbitrary code.
Security experts with Idefense tested a Solaris system. Solaris calls XFS by default on booting, and sets up the X Server to listen on port 7100, which would thus open up a remote attack vector. Idefense discovered the vulnerability in XFS version X11R7.2-1.0.4, although earlier versions may also be affected.
The X.org-Team has fixed the issue in the new XFS 1.0.5 Version. A patch is available for for version 1.0.4 (X11R7.3).
Issue 14: Raspberry Pi Handbook/Special Editions
Tag Cloud
News
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SCO Rises from the Swamp
Longtime litigator revives an ancient suit against IBM alleging Linux infringes on Unix copyrights.
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UberStudent Project Releases UberStudent 3.0
Specialty distro keeps the focus on advanced learning.
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openSUSE Conference Approaches
The openSUSE Conference will be held July 18-22, 2013, at the Olympic Museum in Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Drupal.org Hacked
Security breached at home sites of the CMS project.
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Oracle Takes Action on Java Security
Lead Java developer vows policy changes and more attention to fixing problems.
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Google and NASA Partner in Quantum Computing Project
Vendor D-Wave scores big with a sale to NASA's Quantum Intelligence Lab.
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Mageia Project Announces Mageia 3 Linux
Many package updates and Steam integration highlight the latest from the Mandriva-based community Linux.
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FSF Outs the World Wide Web Consortium over DRM Proposal
Richard Stallman calls for the W3C to remain independent of vendor interests.
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Debian 7.0 Debuts
The new release supports nine architectures, 73 human languages, and zero non-Free components.
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Alpha Version of Fedora 19 Released
Fedora developers release the first alpha version of Fedora 19, known as Schrödinger’s Cat, for general testing. The final release is expected in July 2013.