Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the separate_word function in tokenize.c in Link Grammar 4.1b and possibly other versions, as used in AbiWord Link Grammar 4.2.4, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long word, as reachable through the separate_sentence function.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | link-grammar | 4.2.5-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | link-grammar | 4.2.5-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | link-grammar | 4.2.5-1 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | link-grammar | 4.2.2-4etch1 | DSA-1432-1 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-1432-1 link-grammar - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 27340 third-party-advisory
- 26365 vdb-entry
- http://secunia.com/secunia_research/2007-78/advisory/
- http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=450695
- FEDORA-2007-3339 vendor-advisory
- abiword-linkgrammar-sentence-bo(38317) vdb-entry
- ADV-2007-3771 vdb-entry
- 28101 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200711-27 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2007-3770 vdb-entry
- DSA-1432 vendor-advisory
- http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=196803
- USN-545-1 vendor-advisory
- 27300 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=371221
- 20071107 Secunia Research: AbiWord Link Grammar "separate_sentence()"Buffer Overflow mailing-list
- 27702 third-party-advisory
- 27783 third-party-advisory
- 20071107 Secunia Research: Link Grammar "separate_sentence()" BufferOverflow mailing-list
- http://secunia.com/secunia_research/2007-79/advisory/
- 27631 third-party-advisory