Issued:
2009-07-27
Updated:
2009-07-27

RHSA-2009:1178 - Moderate: python security update

Synopsis

Moderate: python security update

Type/Severity

Security Advisory Moderate

Topic

Updated python packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.

This update has been rated as having moderate security impact by the Red Hat Security Response Team.

Description

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

When the assert() system call was disabled, an input sanitization flaw was revealed in the Python string object implementation that led to a buffer overflow. The missing check for negative size values meant the Python memory allocator could allocate less memory than expected. This could result in arbitrary code execution with the Python interpreter's privileges. (CVE-2008-1887)

Multiple buffer and integer overflow flaws were found in the Python Unicode string processing and in the Python Unicode and string object implementations. An attacker could use these flaws to cause a denial of service (Python application crash). (CVE-2008-3142, CVE-2008-5031)

Multiple integer overflow flaws were found in the Python imageop module. If a Python application used the imageop module to process untrusted images, it could cause the application to crash or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the Python interpreter's privileges. (CVE-2008-1679, CVE-2008-4864)

Multiple integer underflow and overflow flaws were found in the Python snprintf() wrapper implementation. An attacker could use these flaws to cause a denial of service (memory corruption). (CVE-2008-3144)

Multiple integer overflow flaws were found in various Python modules. An attacker could use these flaws to cause a denial of service (Python application crash). (CVE-2008-2315, CVE-2008-3143)

Red Hat would like to thank David Remahl of the Apple Product Security team for responsibly reporting the CVE-2008-1679 and CVE-2008-2315 issues.

All Python users should upgrade to these updated packages, which contain backported patches to correct these issues.

Solution

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released errata relevant to your system have been applied.

This update is available via Red Hat Network. Details on how to use the Red Hat Network to apply this update are available at This content is not included.http://kbase.redhat.com/faq/docs/DOC-11259

Affected Products

ProductVersionArch
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian3ppc
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems3s390x
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems3s390
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation3x86_64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation3ia64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation3i386
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server3x86_64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server3ia64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server3i386
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop3x86_64
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop3i386

Updated Packages

  • python-devel-2.2.3-6.11.ppc.rpm
  • python-tools-2.2.3-6.11.ppc.rpm
  • tkinter-2.2.3-6.11.ppc.rpm
  • python-2.2.3-6.11.ppc.rpm

Fixes

CVEs

References

Additional information