1. Ubuntu Security Notices
  2. USN-3500-1

USN-3500-1: libXfont vulnerability

Publication date

29 November 2017

Overview

libXfont could be made to access arbitrary files, including special device files.

Releases

Packages

Details

It was discovered that libXfont incorrectly followed symlinks when opening
font files. A local unprivileged user could use this issue to cause the X
server to access arbitrary files, including special device files.

It was discovered that libXfont incorrectly followed symlinks when opening
font files. A local unprivileged user could use this issue to cause the X
server to access arbitrary files, including special device files.

Update instructions

After a standard system update you need to reboot your computer to make all the necessary changes.

Learn more about how to get the fixes.

The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following package versions:

Ubuntu Release Package Version
17.10 artful libxfont1 –  1:1.5.2-4ubuntu1.1
libxfont2 –  1:2.0.1-3ubuntu1.1
17.04 zesty libxfont1 –  1:1.5.2-4ubuntu0.2
libxfont2 –  1:2.0.1-3ubuntu0.2
16.04 xenial libxfont1 –  1:1.5.1-1ubuntu0.16.04.4
libxfont2 –  1:2.0.1-3~ubuntu16.04.3
14.04 trusty libxfont1 –  1:1.4.7-1ubuntu0.4

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References

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