Description
Use-after-free vulnerability in the create_smp_dialog function in gtk-dialog.c in the Off-the-Record Messaging (OTR) pidgin-otr plugin before 4.0.2 for Pidgin allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the "Authenticate buddy" menu item.
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 13 | pidgin-otr | 4.0.2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | pidgin-otr | 4.0.2-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | pidgin-otr | 4.0.1-1+deb8u1 | DSA-3528-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | pidgin-otr | 4.0.0-8.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0912-1 |
| SLES 12 | pidgin-otr | 4.0.0-8.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:0912-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | pidgin-otr | 4.0.2-1.5 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10258-1 |
Advisories 3
- DSA-3528-1 pidgin-otr - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10258-1 pidgin-otr-4.0.2-1.5 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:0912-1 Security update for pidgin-otr SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- DSA-3528 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SU-2016:0912 vendor-advisory
- [OTR-users] 20160309 New releases of libotr (4.1.1) and pidgin-otr (4.0.2) available mailing-list
- https://bugs.otr.im/projects/pidgin-otr/repository/revisions/aaf551b9dd5cbba8c4abaa3d4dc7ead860efef94
- https://bugs.otr.im/issues/128
- https://bugs.otr.im/issues/88
- https://blog.fuzzing-project.org/39-Heap-use-after-free-in-Pidgin-OTR-plugin-CVE-2015-8833.html
- GLSA-201701-10 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2016:0878 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160309 Re: Heap use after free in Pidgin-OTR plugin mailing-list
- 84295 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20160309 Heap use after free in Pidgin-OTR plugin mailing-list