---------------------------------------------------------------------                   Red Hat Security Advisory

Synopsis:          Updated ncompress package fixes security issue and bug.
Advisory ID:       RHSA-2004:536-01
Advisory URL:      https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2004:536.html
Issue date:        2004-12-13
Updated on:        2004-12-13
Product:           Red Hat Enterprise Linux
CVE Names:         CAN-2001-1413
---------------------------------------------------------------------1. Summary:

An updated ncompress package that fixes a buffer overflow and problem in
the handling of files larger than 2 GB is now available.

2. Relevant releases/architectures:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (Advanced Server) version 2.1 - i386, ia64
Red Hat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 - ia64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 2.1 - i386
Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 2.1 - i386

3. Problem description:

The ncompress package contains the compress and uncompress file compression
and decompression utilities, which are compatible with the original UNIX
compress utility (.Z file extensions).

A bug in the way ncompress handles long filenames has been discovered.
ncompress versions 4.2.4 and earlier contain a stack based buffer overflow
when handling very long filenames.  It is possible that an attacker could
execute arbitrary code on a victims machine by tricking the user into
decompressing a carefully crafted filename.  The Common Vulnerabilities and
Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CAN-2001-1413 to
this issue.

This updated ncompress package also fixes a problem in the handling of
files larger than 2 GB.

All users of ncompress should upgrade to this updated package, which
contains fixes for these issues.

4. Solution:

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released
errata relevant to your system have been applied.  Use Red Hat
Network to download and update your packages.  To launch the Red Hat
Update Agent, use the following command:

    up2date

For information on how to install packages manually, refer to the
following Web page for the System Administration or Customization
guide specific to your system:

    http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/

5. Bug IDs fixed (http://bugzilla.redhat.com/ for more info):

126776 - [RHEL2.1] compress does not work if the file size is greater than 2GB
136661 - CAN-2001-1413 Stack-based buffer overflow in the comprexx function

6. RPMs required:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (Advanced Server) version 2.1:

SRPMS:
514bcc89bdd8d5a71fc5d01ce2f2ac61  ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm

i386:
b3cd3462d6a09d8d7d14c4e7b2744923  ncompress-4.2.4-37.i386.rpm

ia64:
36338acd3f00f119ed4b50fe2c67663d  ncompress-4.2.4-37.ia64.rpm

Red Hat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1:

SRPMS:
514bcc89bdd8d5a71fc5d01ce2f2ac61  ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm

ia64:
36338acd3f00f119ed4b50fe2c67663d  ncompress-4.2.4-37.ia64.rpm

Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 2.1:

SRPMS:
514bcc89bdd8d5a71fc5d01ce2f2ac61  ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm

i386:
b3cd3462d6a09d8d7d14c4e7b2744923  ncompress-4.2.4-37.i386.rpm

Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 2.1:

SRPMS:
514bcc89bdd8d5a71fc5d01ce2f2ac61  ncompress-4.2.4-37.src.rpm

i386:
b3cd3462d6a09d8d7d14c4e7b2744923  ncompress-4.2.4-37.i386.rpm

These packages are GPG signed by Red Hat for security.  Our key and
details on how to verify the signature are available from

7. References:

http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/176363
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CAN-2001-1413

8. Contact:

The Red Hat security contact is .  More contact
details at 
Copyright 2004 Red Hat, Inc.