Description
Multiple integer overflows in the msn_slplink_process_msg functions in the MSN protocol handler in (1) libpurple/protocols/msn/slplink.c and (2) libpurple/protocols/msnp9/slplink.c in Pidgin (formerly Gaim) before 2.5.6 on 32-bit platforms allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed SLP message with a crafted offset value, leading to buffer overflows. NOTE: this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2008-2927.
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 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | pidgin | 2.4.3-4lenny2 | DSA-1805-1 |
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 |
| RHEL 3 | pidgin | 1.5.1-3.el3 | RHSA-2009:1059 |
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.
Exploit-DB 1
- Pidgin MSN 2.5.8 - Remote Code Execution EDB-9615 · remote · Sep 9, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2009:1060 Red Hat Security Advisory: pidgin security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2009:1059 Red Hat Security Advisory: pidgin security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1805-1 pidgin - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- FEDORA-2009-5597 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10476 vdb-entry signature
- http://www.pidgin.im/news/security/?id=32
- RHSA-2009:1060 vendor-advisory
- USN-781-2 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2009:1059 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200905-07 vendor-advisory
- 35067 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2009-5583 vendor-advisory
- 35329 third-party-advisory
- USN-781-1 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:18432 vdb-entry signature
- 37071 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=500493
- DSA-1805 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2009:140 vendor-advisory
- 35294 third-party-advisory
- 35188 third-party-advisory
- 35194 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2009-5552 vendor-advisory
- 35202 third-party-advisory
- pidgin-msn-slp-bo(50680) vdb-entry
- 35215 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2009-1396 vdb-entry
- 35330 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2009:173 vendor-advisory