Gaim: Remote execution of arbitrary code

Background

Gaim is a full featured instant messaging client which handles a variety of instant messaging protocols.

Description

Brandon Perry discovered that Gaim is vulnerable to a heap-based buffer overflow when handling away messages (CAN-2005-2103). Furthermore, Daniel Atallah discovered a vulnerability in the handling of file transfers (CAN-2005-2102).

Impact

A remote attacker could create a specially crafted away message which, when viewed by the target user, could lead to the execution of arbitrary code. Also, an attacker could send a file with a non-UTF8 filename to a user, which would result in a Denial of Service.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Gaim users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=net-im/gaim-1.5.0"