USN-806-1: Python vulnerabilities

Releases

• Ubuntu 8.10
• Ubuntu 8.04
• Ubuntu 6.06

Packages

• python2.4 -
• python2.5 -

Details

It was discovered that Python incorrectly handled certain arguments in the
imageop module. If an attacker were able to pass specially crafted
arguments through the crop function, they could execute arbitrary code with
user privileges. For Python 2.5, this issue only affected Ubuntu 8.04 LTS.
(CVE-2008-4864)

Multiple integer overflows were discovered in Python's stringobject and
unicodeobject expandtabs method. If an attacker were able to exploit these
flaws they could execute arbitrary code with user privileges or cause
Python applications to crash, leading to a denial of service.
(CVE-2008-5031)

Update instructions

The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following package versions:

Ubuntu 8.10

• python2.4-minimal - 2.4.5-5ubuntu1.1
• python2.4 - 2.4.5-5ubuntu1.1

Ubuntu 8.04

• python2.5-minimal - 2.5.2-2ubuntu6
• python2.4-minimal - 2.4.5-1ubuntu4.2
• python2.5 - 2.5.2-2ubuntu6
• python2.4 - 2.4.5-1ubuntu4.2

Ubuntu 6.06

• python2.4-minimal - 2.4.3-0ubuntu6.3
• python2.4 - 2.4.3-0ubuntu6.3

After a standard system upgrade you need to reboot your computer to
effect the necessary changes.

References

• CVE-2008-4864
• CVE-2008-5031