Subject: [ GLSA 200401-04 ] GAIM 0.75 Remote overflows
Newsgroups: gmane.linux.gentoo.announce
Date: 2004-01-27 19:29:41 GMT (4 years, 23 weeks, 2 days, 16 hours and 33 minutes ago)
- 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 - 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 security <at> gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at http://bugs.gentoo.org.