1.183. python
1.183.1. RHSA-2009:1176: Moderate security update
Important
This update has already been released (prior to the GA of this release) as the security errata RHSA-2009:1176
This update has been rated as having moderate security impact by the Red Hat Security Response Team.
Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language.
When the assert() system call was disabled, an input sanitization flaw was revealed in the Python string object implementation that led to a buffer overflow. The missing check for negative size values meant the Python memory allocator could allocate less memory than expected. This could result in arbitrary code execution with the Python interpreter's privileges. (CVE-2008-1887)
Multiple buffer and integer overflow flaws were found in the Python Unicode string processing and in the Python Unicode and string object implementations. An attacker could use these flaws to cause a denial of service (Python application crash). (CVE-2008-3142, CVE-2008-5031)
Multiple integer overflow flaws were found in the Python imageop module. If a Python application used the imageop module to process untrusted images, it could cause the application to disclose sensitive information, crash or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the Python interpreter's privileges. (CVE-2007-4965, CVE-2008-4864)
Multiple integer underflow and overflow flaws were found in the Python snprintf() wrapper implementation. An attacker could use these flaws to cause a denial of service (memory corruption). (CVE-2008-3144)
Multiple integer overflow flaws were found in various Python modules. An attacker could use these flaws to cause a denial of service (Python application crash). (CVE-2008-2315, CVE-2008-3143)
An integer signedness error, leading to a buffer overflow, was found in the Python zlib extension module. If a Python application requested the negative byte count be flushed for a decompression stream, it could cause the application to crash or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the Python interpreter's privileges. (CVE-2008-1721)
A flaw was discovered in the strxfrm() function of the Python locale module. Strings generated by this function were not properly NULL-terminated, which could possibly cause disclosure of data stored in the memory of a Python application using this function. (CVE-2007-2052)
Red Hat would like to thank David Remahl of the Apple Product Security team for responsibly reporting the CVE-2008-2315 issue.
All Python users should upgrade to these updated packages, which contain backported patches to correct these issues.
1.183.2. RHBA-2009:1402: bug fix update
Updated python packages that fix several thread and subprocess bugs are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.
Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language often compared to Tcl, Perl, Scheme or Java. Python includes modules, classes, exceptions, very high level dynamic data types and dynamic typing. Python supports interfaces to many system calls and libraries, as well as to various windowing systems (X11, Motif, Tk, Mac and MFC).
These updated packages apply fixes for the following bugs:
- processes were cleaned and their IDs recycled regardless of whether the processes had an active reference. This meant that child processes had their IDs recycled before their parent called for a value, which resulted in an OS Error (No child processes). The parent now checks whether a child process has returned before cleaning its ID, and the error no longer presents. (BZ#498979 , BZ#498978)
- a child process would attempt to import variables that had already been imported by a parent process. This meant that both parent and child could attempt to import simultaneously, which could cause a deadlock between parent and child threads. Since the child process can inherit the variables of its parent, the child's import method has been removed and the process no longer hangs. (BZ#499095 , BZ#499097)
All users are advised to upgrade to these updated python packages, which contain the fixes for these issues.
