CVE-2008-3640: Buffer Overflow

Published Sep 30, 2008
·
Updated

An integer overflow issue exists within the WriteProlog() function in the texttops CUPS image filter. When calculating the page size for storing PostScript data, values are derived from user content and are used in multiplication. If the operation overflows, a small destination buffer may be allocated, resulting in a heap-based buffer overflow.

Acknowledgements:

Red Hat would like to thank "regenrecht" for reporting this issue.

Other sources

Integer overflow in the WriteProlog function in texttops in CUPS before 1.3.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PostScript file that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.

Red Hat

Affected Software

79 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/cups<1:1.1.22-0.rc1.9.27.el4_7.1
1:1.1.22-0.rc1.9.27.el4_7.1
redhat/cups<1:1.2.4-11.18.el5_2.2
1:1.2.4-11.18.el5_2.2
Apple CUPS=1.1.20
Apple CUPS=1.1.5-2
Apple CUPS=1.1.14
Apple CUPS=1.3-rc2
Apple CUPS=1.1.6-1
Apple CUPS=1.1.18
Apple CUPS=1.1.12
Apple CUPS=1.1.5-1
Apple CUPS=1.3.3
Apple CUPS=1.1.22
Apple CUPS=1.2.0
Apple CUPS=1.1.16
Apple CUPS=1.3.1
Apple CUPS=1.1.23-rc1
Apple CUPS=1.1.20-rc1
Apple CUPS=1.1.15
Apple CUPS=1.1.17
Apple CUPS=1.1.20-rc6
Apple CUPS=1.2.4
Apple CUPS=1.1.19-rc1
Apple CUPS=1.3.2
Apple CUPS=1.1.22-rc1
Apple CUPS=1.1.7
Apple CUPS=1.2-rc2
Apple CUPS=1.1.6-2
Apple CUPS=1.3-b1
Apple CUPS=1.1.3
Apple CUPS=1.2.3
Apple CUPS=1.1.21
Apple CUPS=1.2.9
Apple CUPS=1.2.10
Apple CUPS=1.1.4
Apple CUPS=1.1.23
Apple CUPS=1.2.6
Apple CUPS=1.2-b1
Apple CUPS=1.1.20-rc4
Apple CUPS=1.1.19
Apple CUPS=1.1
Apple CUPS=1.3.4
Apple CUPS=1.1.8
Apple CUPS<=1.3.8
Apple CUPS=1.1.5
Apple CUPS=1.2.1
Apple CUPS=1.2-rc3
Apple CUPS=1.1.2
Apple CUPS=1.1.13
Apple CUPS=1.1.19-rc4
Apple CUPS=1.1.9-1
Apple CUPS=1.2.12
Apple CUPS=1.1.21-rc2
Apple CUPS=1.2-b2
Apple CUPS=1.2.7
Apple CUPS=1.1.6-3
Apple CUPS=1.1.20-rc5
Apple CUPS=1.1.9
Apple CUPS=1.3.7
Apple CUPS=1.1.19-rc5
Apple CUPS=1.2-rc1
Apple CUPS=1.1.1
Apple CUPS=1.2.8
Apple CUPS=1.2.2
Apple CUPS=1.1.10
Apple CUPS=1.2.11
Apple CUPS=1.1.22-rc2
Apple CUPS=1.1.21-rc1
Apple CUPS=1.3-rc1
Apple CUPS=1.1.11
Apple CUPS=1.1.19-rc3
Apple CUPS=1.1.6
Apple CUPS=1.1.10-1
Apple CUPS=1.3.0
Apple CUPS=1.3.5
Apple CUPS=1.3.6
Apple CUPS=1.1.20-rc2
Apple CUPS=1.1.20-rc3
Apple CUPS=1.2.5
Apple CUPS=1.1.19-rc2

Remediation

Event History

Sep 30, 2008
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·12:28 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Oct 9, 2008
CVE Published
via Red Hat·12:00 AM
Oct 14, 2008
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:00 PM
Description

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2008-3640?

CVE-2008-3640 is considered a high severity vulnerability due to its potential to allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

2

How do I fix CVE-2008-3640?

To fix CVE-2008-3640, upgrade your CUPS installation to version 1.3.9 or later.

3

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2008-3640?

CVE-2008-3640 is an integer overflow vulnerability that can lead to a heap-based buffer overflow.

4

Which versions of CUPS are affected by CVE-2008-3640?

CVE-2008-3640 affects all versions of CUPS prior to 1.3.9.

5

Can CVE-2008-3640 be exploited remotely?

Yes, CVE-2008-3640 can be exploited remotely via a crafted PostScript file.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203