Buffer Overflow in Firebird

Background

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

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"