Description
The msn_slp_process_msg function in libpurple/protocols/msn/slpcall.c in the MSN protocol plugin in libpurple 2.6.0 and 2.6.1, as used in Pidgin before 2.6.2, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a handwritten (aka Ink) message, related to an uninitialized variable and the incorrect "UTF16-LE" charset name.
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 | 2.6.2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | pidgin | 2.6.2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | pidgin | 2.6.2-1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | pidgin | 2.4.3-4lenny6 | DSA-2038-1 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-2038-1 pidgin - denial of service Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 36601 third-party-advisory
- http://developer.pidgin.im/viewmtn/revision/diff/92ce3e48744b40fb0fea89e3de5e44bedb100c07/with/567e16cbc46168f52482e5ec27626c48e7a5ba95/libpurple/protocols/msn/slpcall.c
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:6338 vdb-entry signature
- http://www.pidgin.im/news/security/index.php?id=38
- 36277 vdb-entry
- http://developer.pidgin.im/viewmtn/revision/info/567e16cbc46168f52482e5ec27626c48e7a5ba95