5 - RHSA-2009:1453

Problem Description:

Updated pidgin packages that fix several security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 and 5.

This update has been rated as having moderate security impact by the Red Hat Security Response Team.

2. Relevant releases/architectures:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 4 - i386, ia64, ppc, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop version 4 - i386, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 4 - i386, ia64, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 4 - i386, ia64, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 5 client) - i386, x86_64 RHEL Desktop Workstation (v. 5 client) - i386, x86_64 RHEL Optional Productivity Applications (v. 5 server) - i386, x86_64

3. Description:

Pidgin is an instant messaging program which can log in to multiple accounts on multiple instant messaging networks simultaneously. Info/Query (IQ) is an Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) specific request-response mechanism.

A NULL pointer dereference flaw was found in the way the Pidgin XMPP protocol plug-in processes IQ error responses when trying to fetch a custom smiley. A remote client could send a specially-crafted IQ error response that would crash Pidgin. (CVE-2009-3085)

A NULL pointer dereference flaw was found in the way the Pidgin IRC protocol plug-in handles IRC topics. A malicious IRC server could send a specially-crafted IRC TOPIC message, which once received by Pidgin, would lead to a denial of service (Pidgin crash). (CVE-2009-2703)

It was discovered that, when connecting to certain, very old Jabber servers via XMPP, Pidgin may ignore the "Require SSL/TLS" setting. In these situations, a non-encrypted connection is established rather than the connection failing, causing the user to believe they are using an encrypted connection when they are not, leading to sensitive information disclosure (session sniffing). (CVE-2009-3026)

A NULL pointer dereference flaw was found in the way the Pidgin MSN protocol plug-in handles improper MSNSLP invitations. A remote attacker could send a specially-crafted MSNSLP invitation request, which once accepted by a valid Pidgin user, would lead to a denial of service (Pidgin crash). (CVE-2009-3083)

These packages upgrade Pidgin to version 2.6.2. Refer to the Pidgin release notes for a full list of changes: http://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/ChangeLog

All Pidgin users should upgrade to these updated packages, which correct these issues. Pidgin must be restarted for this update to take effect.

4. Solution:

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released errata relevant to your system have been applied.

This update is available via Red Hat Network. Details on how to use the Red Hat Network to apply this update are available at http://kbase.redhat.com/faq/docs/DOC-11259

5. Bugs fixed (http://bugzilla.redhat.com/):

519224 - CVE-2009-3026 pidgin: ignores SSL/TLS requirements with old jabber servers 521823 - CVE-2009-2703 Pidgin: NULL pointer dereference by handling IRC topic(s) (DoS) 521832 - CVE-2009-3083 Pidgin: NULL pointer dereference by processing incomplete MSN SLP invite (DoS) 521853 - CVE-2009-3085 Pidgin: NULL pointer dereference by processing a custom smiley (DoS)