Description
Buffer overflow in the set_page_size function in util.cxx in HTMLDOC 1.8.27 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long MEDIA SIZE comment. NOTE: it was later reported that there were additional vectors in htmllib.cxx and ps-pdf.cxx using an AFM font file with a long glyph name, but these vectors do not cross privilege boundaries.
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 | htmldoc | 1.8.27-4.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | htmldoc | 1.8.27-4.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | htmldoc | 1.8.27-4.1 | — |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | htmldoc | 1.8.28-2.4 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10463-1 |
Advisories 1
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10463-1 htmldoc-1.8.28-2.4 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.org/0907-exploits/htmldoc-overflow.txt
- [oss-security] 20090901 Re: CVE Request -- HTMLDOC mailing-list
- 35780 third-party-advisory
- http://www.htmldoc.org/str.php?L214
- http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=278186
- [oss-security] 20090725 Re: CVE Request -- HTMLDOC mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20090726 Re: CVE Request -- HTMLDOC mailing-list