Red Hat Product Errata RHSA-2004:400 - Security Advisory
Issued:
2004-09-07
Updated:
2004-09-07

RHSA-2004:400 - Security Advisory

Synopsis

gaim security update

Type/Severity

Security Advisory: Critical

Topic

An updated gaim package that fixes several security issues is now available.

Description

Gaim is an instant messenger client that can handle multiple protocols.

Buffer overflow bugs were found in the Gaim MSN protocol handler. In order
to exploit these bugs, an attacker would have to perform a man in the
middle attack between the MSN server and the vulnerable Gaim client. Such
an attack could allow arbitrary code execution. The Common Vulnerabilities
and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CAN-2004-0500
to this issue.

Buffer overflow bugs have been found in the Gaim URL decoder, local
hostname resolver, and the RTF message parser. It is possible that a
remote attacker could send carefully crafted data to a vulnerable client
and lead to a crash or arbitrary code execution. The Common
Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name
CAN-2004-0785 to this issue.

A shell escape bug has been found in the Gaim smiley theme file
installation. When a user installs a smiley theme, which is contained
within a tar file, the unarchiving of the data is done in an unsafe manner.
An attacker could create a malicious smiley theme that would execute
arbitrary commands if the theme was installed by the victim. The Common
Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name
CAN-2004-0784 to this issue.

An integer overflow bug has been found in the Gaim Groupware message
receiver. It is possible that if a user connects to a malicious server,
an attacker could send carefully crafted data which could lead to arbitrary
code execution on the victims machine. The Common Vulnerabilities and
Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CAN-2004-0754 to
this issue.

Users of Gaim are advised to upgrade to this updated package which
contains Gaim version 0.82 and is not vulnerable to these issues.

Solution

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released
errata relevant to your system have been applied. Use Red Hat
Network to download and update your packages. To launch the Red Hat
Update Agent, use the following command:

up2date

For information on how to install packages manually, refer to the
following Web page for the System Administration or Customization
guide specific to your system:

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/

Affected Products

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 3 x86_64
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 3 ia64
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 3 i386
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 3 x86_64
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 3 ia64
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 3 i386
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 3 x86_64
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 3 i386
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 3 s390x
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 3 s390
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian 3 ppc

Fixes

  • BZ - 126842 - CAN-2004-0500 Gaim MSN protocol vulnerabilities

The Red Hat security contact is secalert@redhat.com. More contact details at https://access.redhat.com/security/team/contact/.