Ubuntu Security Notice USN-3199-2
17th February, 2017
Python Crypto regression
A security issue affects these releases of Ubuntu and its
derivatives:
- Ubuntu 16.10
- Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
- Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
Summary
USN-3199-1 introduced a regression in the Python Cryptography Toolkit which
caused programs which relied on the original behavior to fail.
Software description
- python-crypto
– cryptographic algorithms and protocols for Python
Details
USN-3199-1 fixed a vulnerability in the Python Cryptography Toolkit.
Unfortunately, various programs depended on the original behavior of the Python
Cryptography Toolkit which was altered when fixing the vulnerability. This
update retains the fix for the vulnerability but issues a warning rather than
throwing an exception. Code which produces this warning should be updated
because future versions of the Python Cryptography Toolkit re-introduce the
exception.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Original advisory details:
It was discovered that the ALGnew function in block_template.c in the Python
Cryptography Toolkit contained a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability.
A remote attacker could use this flaw to execute arbitrary code by using
a crafted initialization vector parameter.
Update instructions
The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following
package version:
- Ubuntu 16.10:
-
python3-crypto
2.6.1-6ubuntu0.16.10.3
-
python-crypto
2.6.1-6ubuntu0.16.10.3
- Ubuntu 16.04 LTS:
-
python3-crypto
2.6.1-6ubuntu0.16.04.2
-
python-crypto
2.6.1-6ubuntu0.16.04.2
- Ubuntu 14.04 LTS:
-
python3-crypto
2.6.1-4ubuntu0.2
-
python-crypto
2.6.1-4ubuntu0.2
To update your system, please follow these instructions:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Security/Upgrades.
In general, a standard system update will make all the necessary changes.