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From:	 Progeny Security Team 
To:	 BUGTRAQ@SECURITYFOCUS.COM
Subject: PROGENY-SA-2001-07: Netscape Navigator fails to protect privacy
Date:	 Thu, 19 Apr 2001 19:26:36 -0500

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 PROGENY LINUX SYSTEMS -- SECURITY ADVISORY               PROGENY-SA-2001-07
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    Topic:          Netscape Navigator fails to protect privacy

    Software:       netscape
    Announced:      2001-04-09
    Credits:        Florian Wesch <fw@dividuum.de>
    Affects:        Progeny Debian (netscape prior to 4.77)
                    Debian GNU/Linux (netscape prior to 4.77)

    Vendor-Status:  New Version Released (4.77 on 2001-03-26)
    Corrected:      2001-04-19
    Progeny Only:   NO

    $Id: PROGENY-SA-2001-07,v 1.2 2001/04/20 00:21:42 jdaily Exp $

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SYNOPSIS

The Netscape browser sometimes handles JavaScript in an insecure
manner. In certain situations, it allows remote web sites to send
JavaScript commands in an unorthodox manner that could compromise
private data.


PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

GIF-format graphics can contain comments, typically used by graphic
designers and editors for recordkeeping.  Florian Wesch discovered
that the Netscape browser, while displaying a GIF image, can process
JavaScript commands stored in GIF comments, and that commands issued
in this unorthodox manner can do things that JavaScript commands are
usually unable to do.


IMPACT

A web site can gain access to browser history and possibly other
data kept in Netscape's browser that wouldn't normally be available.


SOLUTION

Upgrade to a fixed version of Netscape's browser.  Netscape Navigator
version 4.77 corrects the problem.  For your convenience, you may
upgrade to the package netscape_4.77-1progeny2.


WORKAROUND

The risk can be avoided without an upgrade by disabling JavaScript in
the browser.


UPDATING VIA APT-GET

 1. Ensure that your /etc/apt/sources.list file has a URI for Progeny's
    update repository:

        deb http://archive.progeny.com/progeny updates/newton/

 2. Update your cache of available packages for apt(8).

    Example:

        # apt-get update

 3. If you are currently running the Netscape browser, please exit the
    application.

 4. Using apt(8), install the new package.  apt(8) will download the
    update, verify its integrity with md5, and then install the
    package on your system with dpkg(8).

    Example:

        # apt-get install netscape


UPDATING VIA DPKG

  We do not recommend upgrading Netscape's browser using dpkg. Please
  use apt.


MORE INFORMATION

See http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/175060 for further details
of the vulnerability.

Progeny advisories can be found at http://www.progeny.com/security/.

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pub  1024D/F92D4D1F 2001-04-04 Progeny Security Team <security@progeny.com>

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