CVE-2021-26252
NixOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

Overview

A heap buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered in HTMLDOC version 1.9.12, specifically in the pspdfpreparepage() function within ps-pdf.cxx. This security flaw was assigned CVE-2021-26252 and affects the HTMLDOC HTML processor software (NVD, CVE).

Technical details

The vulnerability is classified as a heap buffer overflow (CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write) with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH), and vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, as indicated by the CVSS metrics (NVD).

Impact

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could lead to arbitrary code execution and denial of service conditions. The high CVSS score indicates significant potential impact on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system (NVD, Ubuntu).

Mitigation and workarounds

The vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent versions of HTMLDOC. Ubuntu has released security updates for multiple versions: Ubuntu 20.04 (htmldoc - 1.9.7-1ubuntu0.3+esm1), Ubuntu 18.04 (htmldoc - 1.9.2-1ubuntu0.2+esm1), Ubuntu 16.04 (htmldoc - 1.8.27-8ubuntu1.1+esm2), and Ubuntu 14.04 (htmldoc - 1.8.27-8ubuntu1+esm3). Users are advised to update to these patched versions (Ubuntu).

Additional resources


SourceThis report was generated using AI

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