Description
Pidgin 2.4.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long filename that contains certain characters, as demonstrated using an MSN message that triggers the crash in the msn_slplink_process_msg function.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | pidgin | 2.4.3-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | pidgin | 2.4.3-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | pidgin | 2.4.3-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | finch +8 | 2.5.2-6.el5 | RHSA-2008:1023 |
| RHEL 4 | finch +8 | 2.5.2-6.el4 | RHSA-2008:1023 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Rhel Productivity 5 | finch +8 | 2.5.2-6.el5 | RHSA-2008:1023 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | pidgin | 2.14.7-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11172-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Pidgin 2.4.2 - 'msn_slplink_process_msg()' Denial of Service EDB-32749 · dos · Jan 26, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2008:1023 Red Hat Security Advisory: pidgin security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11172-1 finch-2.14.7-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- ADV-2008-1947 vdb-entry
- 3966 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:18050 vdb-entry signature
- MDVSA-2009:025 vendor-advisory
- 29985 vdb-entry
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-493.htm
- 33102 third-party-advisory
- 20080626 Pidgin 2.4.1 Vulnerability mailing-list
- USN-675-1 vendor-advisory
- 32859 third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10131 vdb-entry signature
- 30881 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2008:1023 vendor-advisory