Gaim: MSN protocol parsing function buffer overflow

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200408-12 / gaim
Release Date	August 12, 2004
Latest Revision	May 22, 2006: 03
Impact	normal
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
net-im/gaim	<= 0.81	>= 0.81-r1	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #60034

Synopsis

Gaim contains a remotely exploitable buffer overflow vulnerability in the MSN-protocol parsing code that may allow remote execution of arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

Gaim is a multi-protocol instant messaging client for Linux which supports many instant messaging protocols.

Description

Sebastian Krahmer of the SuSE Security Team has discovered a remotely exploitable buffer overflow vulnerability in the code handling MSN protocol parsing.

Impact

By sending a carefully-crafted message, an attacker may execute arbitrary code with the permissions of the user running Gaim.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time. All users are encouraged to upgrade to the latest available version of Gaim.

Resolution

All Gaim users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge sync

# emerge -pv ">=net-im/gaim-0.81-r1"
# emerge ">=net-im/gaim-0.81-r1"

4. References

Page updated August 12, 2004

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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