1. Ubuntu Security Notices
  2. USN-46-1

USN-46-1: TIFF library vulnerability

Publication date

22 December 2004

Overview

TIFF library vulnerability

Releases

Details

A buffer overflow was discovered in the TIFF library. A TIFF file
includes a value indicating the number of “directory entry” header
fields contained in the file. If this value is -1, an invalid memory
allocation was performed. A malicious image could be constructed
which, when decoded, would have resulted in execution of arbitrary
code with the privileges of the process using the library.

Since this library is used in many applications like “ghostscript” and
the “CUPS” printing system, this vulnerability may lead to remotely
induced privilege escalation.

A buffer overflow was discovered in the TIFF library. A TIFF file
includes a value indicating the number of “directory entry” header
fields contained in the file. If this value is -1, an invalid memory
allocation was performed. A malicious image could be constructed
which, when decoded, would have resulted in execution of arbitrary
code with the privileges of the process using the library.

Since this library is used in many applications like “ghostscript” and
the “CUPS” printing system, this vulnerability may lead to remotely
induced privilege escalation.

Update instructions

In general, a standard system update will 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
4.10 warty libtiff4 – 

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References

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