libxml2: Remotely exploitable buffer overflow — GLSA 200411-05

libxml2 contains multiple buffer overflows which could lead to the execution of arbitrary code.

Affected packages

Package 	dev-libs/libxml2 on all architectures
Affected versions 	< 2.6.15
Unaffected versions 	>= 2.6.15

Background

libxml2 is an XML parsing library written in C.

Description

Multiple buffer overflows have been detected in the nanoftp and nanohttp modules. These modules are responsible for parsing URLs with ftp information, and resolving names via DNS.

Impact

An attacker could exploit an application that uses libxml2 by forcing it to parse a specially-crafted XML file, potentially causing remote execution of arbitrary code.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All libxml2 users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-libs/libxml2-2.6.15"

References

    BugTraq Advisory
    libxml2 ChangeLog
    CAN-2004-0989