Description
The msn_slplink_process_msg function in libpurple/protocols/msn/slplink.c in libpurple, as used in Pidgin (formerly Gaim) before 2.5.9 and Adium 1.3.5 and earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) by sending multiple crafted SLP (aka MSNSLP) messages to trigger an overwrite of an arbitrary memory location. NOTE: this issue reportedly exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2009-1376.
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 | 2.5.9-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | pidgin | 2.5.9-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | pidgin | 2.5.9-1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | pidgin | 2.4.3-4lenny3 | DSA-1870-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | finch +8 | 2.5.9-1.el5 | RHSA-2009:1218 |
| RHEL 4 | finch +8 | 2.5.9-1.el4 | RHSA-2009:1218 |
| RHEL 3 | pidgin | 1.5.1-4.el3 | RHSA-2009:1218 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Rhel Productivity 5 | finch +8 | 2.5.9-1.el5 | RHSA-2009:1218 |
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 2
- RHSA-2009:1218 Red Hat Security Advisory: pidgin security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- DSA-1870-1 pidgin - insufficient input sanitization Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=514957
- ADV-2009-2303 vdb-entry
- 36392 third-party-advisory
- http://www.pidgin.im/news/security/?id=34
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:6320 vdb-entry signature
- http://www.coresecurity.com/content/libpurple-arbitrary-write
- 36402 third-party-advisory
- 266908 vendor-advisory
- http://developer.pidgin.im/viewmtn/revision/info/6f7343166c673bf0496ecb1afec9b633c1d54a0e
- 36384 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1870 vendor-advisory
- 37071 third-party-advisory
- 36708 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2009-2663 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10319 vdb-entry signature
- 36401 third-party-advisory
- 9615 exploit
- http://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/ChangeLog
- RHSA-2009:1218 vendor-advisory