file: Heap-based buffer overflow

Background

file is a utility that guesses a file format by scanning binary data for patterns.

Description

It was discovered that file incorrectly handled certain malformed files.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to process a specially crafted file via libmagic or file, possibly resulting in execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the process or a Denial of Service condition.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All file users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=sys-apps/file-5.37-r1"