CVE-2005-2978 Memory corruption in n/a

High 7.5 Published 18 Oct 2005 Updated 7 Aug 2024

Attackers can execute arbitrary code via stack modification when converting PNM images using the -trans option in Netpbm.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2005-2978?

CVE-2005-2978 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in n/a, published on 18 Oct 2005. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

pnmtopng in netpbm before 10.25, when using the -trans option, uses uninitialized size and index variables when converting Portable Anymap (PNM) images to Portable Network Graphics (PNG), which might allow attackers to execute arbitrary code by modifying the stack.

Which versions are affected by CVE-2005-2978?

It affects 1 product.

Linux distribution packages (16)

`netpbm` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-progs` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-progs` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-progs` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`
`netpbm-progs` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws	All versions	`0:10.25-2.EL4.2`

Products include Netpbm Netpbm.

How do I fix CVE-2005-2978?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2005-2978 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2005-2978 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2005-2978, DSA-878-1, GHSA-xf4f-2rfr-r287, RHSA-2005:793.