Python: Integer overflows

Background

Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language.

Description

Chris Evans reported multiple integer overflows in the expandtabs method, as implemented by (1) the string_expandtabs function in Objects/stringobject.c and (2) the unicode_expandtabs function in Objects/unicodeobject.c.

Impact

A remote attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities in Python applications or daemons that pass user-controlled input to vulnerable functions. The security impact is currently unknown but may include the execution of arbitrary code or a Denial of Service.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Python 2.5 users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-lang/python-2.5.4-r2"

All Python 2.4 users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-lang/python-2.4.6"