LibYAML: Arbitrary code execution

Background

LibYAML is a YAML 1.1 parser and emitter written in C.

Description

A heap-based buffer overflow flaw was found in the way libyaml parsed YAML tags.

Impact

A remote attacker could provide a specially-crafted YAML document which when parsed by LibYAML, would cause the application to crash or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges the user who is running the application.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All LibYAML users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=dev-libs/libyaml-0.1.5"