Common Data Format library: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code

Background

The Common Data Format library is a scientific data management package which allows programmers and application developers to manage and manipulate scalar, vector, and multi-dimensional data arrays in a platform independent fashion.

Description

Alfredo Ortega (Core Security Technologies) reported a boundary error within the Read32s_64() function when processing CDF files.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to open a specially crafted CDF file, possibly resulting in the remote execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Common Data Format library users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sci-libs/cdf-3.2.1"