Gentoo security alert: GAIM 0.75 Remote overflows

Posted by dave on Jan 27, 2004 4:52 PM EDT
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"Various overflows in the handling of AIM DirectIM packets was revealed in GAIM that could lead to a remote compromise of the IM client."

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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 200401-04 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ http://security.gentoo.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

~ Severity: Normal ~ Title: GAIM 0.75 Remote overflows ~ Date: January 27, 2004 ~ Bugs: #39470 ~ ID: 200401-04

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Synopsis ========

Various overflows in the handling of AIM DirectIM packets was revealed in GAIM that could lead to a remote compromise of the IM client.

Background ==========

Gaim is a multi-platform and multi-protocol instant messaging client. It is compatible with AIM , ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, and the Zephyr networks.

Description ===========

Yahoo changed the authentication methods to their IM servers, rendering GAIM useless. The GAIM team released a rushed release solving this issue, however, at the same time a code audit revealed 12 vulnerabilities [ 1 ].

Impact ======

Due to the nature of instant messaging many of these bugs require man-in-the-middle attacks between the client and the server. But the underlying protocols are easy to implement and attacking ordinary TCP sessions is a fairly simple task. As a result, all users are advised to upgrade their GAIM installation.

[ * ] Users of GAIM 0.74 or below are affected by 7 of the ~ vulnerabilities and are encouraged to upgrade.

[ * ] Users of GAIM 0.75 are affected by 11 of the vulnerabilities ~ and are encouraged to upgrade to the patched version of GAIM ~ offered by Gentoo.

[ * ] Users of GAIM 0.75-r6 are only affected by 4 of the ~ vulnerabilities, but are still urged to upgrade to maintain ~ security.

Workaround ==========

There is no immediate workaround; a software upgrade is required.

Resolution ==========

All users are recommended to upgrade GAIM to 0.75-r7.

~ $> emerge sync ~ $> emerge -pv ">=net-im/gaim-0.75-r7" ~ $> emerge ">=net-im/gaim-0.75-r7"

References ==========

~ [ 1 ] : http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/351235

Concerns? =========

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to [E-mail:security@gentoo.org] or alternatively, you may file a bug at http://bugs.gentoo.org. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.2.1 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org

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