CVE-2007-5937 in teTeX
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in dvi2xx.c in dviljk in teTeX and TeXlive 2007 and earlier might allow user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted DVI input file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5937 represents a critical security flaw in the dvi2xx.c component of dviljk software package, which is part of the teTeX and TeXlive 2007 distributions. This issue affects numerous Unix-based systems where these TeX distributions are installed, creating potential entry points for malicious actors who can exploit the buffer overflow conditions to gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability specifically targets the processing of DVI (Device Independent) files, which are commonly used in typesetting and document preparation within the TeX ecosystem, making it particularly dangerous for environments where document processing is frequent.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the dvi2xx.c source file, where the software fails to properly bounds-check data structures when parsing DVI input files. This flaw manifests as multiple buffer overflow conditions that occur during the conversion process of DVI files to other formats, allowing attackers to craft malicious DVI files that can trigger memory corruption. The buffer overflows occur when the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that can occur in similar parsing contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5937 extends beyond simple code execution privileges, as it can potentially enable attackers to escalate their privileges within affected systems. The user-assisted nature of this vulnerability means that exploitation requires the victim to process a specially crafted DVI file, typically through a document viewer or automated processing system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where document sharing or automated document generation is common. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the dviljk application, potentially leading to full system compromise if the application runs with elevated permissions. The vulnerability affects systems running teTeX and TeXlive 2007 and earlier versions, creating a wide attack surface across academic and research institutions where these document processing tools are commonly deployed.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to patched versions of the dviljk software and the affected TeX distributions, as the original developers have released fixes that implement proper input validation and bounds checking. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems and consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting DVI file processing capabilities in automated environments. Network-based mitigations could include implementing file type restrictions and content filtering for DVI files in shared environments, while application-level protections might involve sandboxing document processing applications to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege when running document processing applications, ensuring that these tools operate with minimal required permissions to reduce the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in document processing applications and highlights the need for robust security testing of software components that handle user-supplied data in academic and research computing environments.