7.2 - RHSA-2005:801

Problem Description:

An updated gdb package that fixes minor security issues is now available.

This update has been rated as having low security impact by the Red Hat Security Response Team.

2. Relevant releases/architectures:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (Advanced Server) version 2.1 - i386, ia64 Red Hat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 - ia64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 2.1 - i386 Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 2.1 - i386

3. Problem description:

GDB, the GNU debugger, allows debugging of programs written in C, C++, and other languages by executing them in a controlled fashion, then printing their data.

Several integer overflow bugs were found in gdb. If a user is tricked into processing a specially crafted executable file, it may allow the execution of arbitrary code as the user running gdb. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CAN-2005-1704 to this issue.

A bug was found in the way gdb loads .gdbinit files. When a user executes gdb, the local directory is searched for a .gdbinit file which is then loaded. It is possible for a local user to execute arbitrary commands as the user running gdb by placing a malicious .gdbinit file in a location where gdb may be run. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CAN-2005-1705 to this issue.

All users of gdb should upgrade to this updated package, which contains backported patches that resolve these issues.

4. Solution:

Before applying this update, make sure all previously released errata relevant to your system have been applied.

This update is available via Red Hat Network. To use Red Hat Network, launch the Red Hat Update Agent with the following command:

up2date

This will start an interactive process that will result in the appropriate RPMs being upgraded on your system.

5. Bug IDs fixed (http://bugzilla.redhat.com/):

169905 - CAN-2005-1705 gdb arbitrary command execution 169906 - CAN-2005-1704 Integer overflow in gdb