GLSA 200405-18: Buffer Overflow in Firebird

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	high
Title:	Buffer Overflow in Firebird
Date:	05/23/2004
Bugs:	#20837
ID:	200405-18

Synopsis

A buffer overflow via environmental variables in Firebird may allow a local user to manipulate or destroy local databases and trojan the Firebird binaries.

Background

Firebird is an open source relational database that runs on Linux, Windows, and various UNIX systems.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
dev-db/firebird	< 1.5	>= 1.5	All supported architectures

Description

A buffer overflow exists in three Firebird binaries (gds_inet_server, gds_lock_mgr, and gds_drop) that is exploitable by setting a large value to the INTERBASE environment variable.

Impact

An attacker could control program execution, allowing privilege escalation to the UID of Firebird, full access to Firebird databases, and trojaning the Firebird binaries. An attacker could use this to compromise other user or root accounts.

Workaround

There is no known workaround.

Resolution

All users should upgrade to the latest version of Firebird:

    # emerge sync
    
    # emerge -pv ">=dev-db/firebird-1.5"
    # emerge ">=dev-db/firebird-1.5"

References

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200405-18.xml

Concerns?

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at https://bugs.gentoo.org.