Description
Buffer overflow in the decrypt_out function in Pidgin (formerly Gaim) before 2.5.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a QQ packet.
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 | 2.5.6-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | pidgin | 2.5.6-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | pidgin | 2.5.6-1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | finch +8 | 2.5.5-3.el5 | RHSA-2009:1060 |
| RHEL 4 | finch +8 | 2.5.5-2.el4 | RHSA-2009:1060 |
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2009:1060 Red Hat Security Advisory: pidgin security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- FEDORA-2009-5597 vendor-advisory
- pidgin-decryptout-bo(50684) vdb-entry
- RHSA-2009:1060 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200905-07 vendor-advisory
- 35067 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2009-5583 vendor-advisory
- 35329 third-party-advisory
- http://www.pidgin.im/news/security/?id=30
- USN-781-1 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11654 vdb-entry signature
- 35294 third-party-advisory
- 35188 third-party-advisory
- 35194 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2009-5552 vendor-advisory
- 35202 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2009-1396 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:18201 vdb-entry signature
- MDVSA-2009:173 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=500490