XChat 2.0.x SOCKS5 Vulnerability

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200404-15 / xchat
Release Date	April 19, 2004
Latest Revision	May 22, 2006: 02
Impact	low
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
net-irc/xchat	< 2.0.8-r1	>= 2.0.8-r1	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #46856

Synopsis

XChat is vulnerable to a stack overflow that may allow a remote attacker to run arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

XChat is a multiplatform IRC client.

Description

The SOCKS 5 proxy code in XChat is vulnerable to a remote exploit. Users would have to be using XChat through a SOCKS 5 server, enable SOCKS 5 traversal which is disabled by default and also connect to an attacker's custom proxy server.

Impact

This vulnerability may allow an attacker to run arbitrary code within the context of the user ID of the XChat client.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

A workaround is not currently known for this issue. All users are advised to upgrade to the latest version of the affected package.

Resolution

All XChat users should upgrade to the latest stable version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge sync

# emerge -pv ">=net-irc/xchat-2.0.8-r1"
# emerge ">=net-irc/xchat-2.0.8-r1"

Note that users of the gtk1 version of xchat (1.8.*) should upgrade to xchat-1.8.11-r1:

Code Listing 3.2: Resolution

# emerge sync

# emerge -pv "=net-irc/xchat-1.8.11-r1"
# emerge "=net-irc/xchat-1.8.11-r1"

4. References

Page updated April 19, 2004

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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