CVE-2009-2905 Memory corruption in n/a

Medium 4.6 Published 29 Sep 2009 Updated 7 Aug 2024

A heap-based buffer overflow in the newt library allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash applications via crafted text dialogs.

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-2009-2905?

CVE-2009-2905 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in n/a, published on 29 Sep 2009. 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

Heap-based buffer overflow in textbox.c in newt 0.51.5, 0.51.6, and 0.52.2 allows local users to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a request to display a crafted text dialog box.

Weakness: CWE-119

Which versions are affected by CVE-2009-2905?

It affects 1 product.

Linux distribution packages (33)

`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws	All versions	`0:0.51.5-2.el3`
`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws	All versions	`0:0.51.6-10.el4_8.1`
`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client	All versions	`0:0.52.2-12.el5_4.1`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client	All versions	`0:0.52.2-12.el5_4.1`
`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client_workstation	All versions	`0:0.52.2-12.el5_4.1`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client_workstation	All versions	`0:0.52.2-12.el5_4.1`
`newt-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client_workstation	All versions	`0:0.52.2-12.el5_4.1`
`newt` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server	All versions	`0:0.52.2-12.el5_4.1`
`newt-debuginfo` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server	All versions	`0:0.52.2-12.el5_4.1`
`newt-devel` Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server	All versions	`0:0.52.2-12.el5_4.1`
`newt` openSUSE:Tumbleweed	All versions	`0.52.18-1.9`

Products include Fedorahosted Newt.

How do I fix CVE-2009-2905?

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-2009-2905 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2009-2905 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as AZL-44280, DEBIAN-CVE-2009-2905, DSA-1894-1, GHSA-fgx4-56q6-xxw8, RHSA-2009:1463, openSUSE-SU-2024:10010-1.