bzip2: Denial of service

Background

bzip2 is a free and open source lossless data compression program.

Description

The Oulu University discovered that bzip2 does not properly check offsets provided by the bzip2 file, leading to a buffer overread.

Impact

Remote attackers can entice a user or automated system to open a specially crafted file that triggers a buffer overread, causing a Denial of Service. libbz2 and programs linking against it are also affected.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All bzip2 users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-arch/bzip2-1.0.5"