[ GLSA 200408-27 ] Gaim: New vulnerabilities

[GLSA]

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Title: Gaim: New vulnerabilities (GLSA 200408-27)
Severity: normal
Exploitable: remote
Date: August 27, 2004
Updated: May 22, 2006
Bug(s): #61457
ID: 200408-27

Synopsis


Gaim contains several security issues that might allow an attacker to
execute arbitrary code or commands.


Background


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


Affected Packages

Package: net-im/gaim
Vulnerable: < 0.81-r5
Unaffected: >= 0.81-r5
Architectures: All supported architectures


Description


Gaim fails to do proper bounds checking when:

• Handling MSN messages (partially fixed with GLSA 200408-12).
• Handling rich text format messages.
• Resolving local hostname.
• Receiving long URLs.
• Handling groupware messages.
• Allocating memory for webpages with fake content-length
  header.

Furthermore Gaim fails to escape filenames when using drag and drop
installation of smiley themes.


Impact


These vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to crash Gaim or execute
arbitrary code or commands with the permissions of the user running
Gaim.


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: