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Debian DSA-158-1 : gaim - arbitrary program execution

high Nessus Plugin ID 14995

Synopsis

The remote Debian host is missing a security-related update.

Description

The developers of Gaim, an instant messenger client that combines several different networks, found a vulnerability in the hyperlink handling code. The 'Manual' browser command passes an untrusted string to the shell without escaping or reliable quoting, permitting an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the users machine.
Unfortunately, Gaim doesn't display the hyperlink before the user clicks on it. Users who use other inbuilt browser commands aren't vulnerable.

Solution

Upgrade the gaim package immediately.

This problem has been fixed in version 0.58-2.2 for the current stable distribution (woody) and in version 0.59.1-2 for the unstable distribution (sid). The old stable distribution (potato) is not affected since it doesn't ship the Gaim program.

The fixed version of Gaim no longer passes the user's manual browser command to the shell. Commands which contain the %s in quotes will need to be amended, so they don't contain any quotes. The 'Manual' browser command can be edited in the 'General' pane of the 'Preferences' dialog, which can be accessed by clicking 'Options' from the login window, or 'Tools' and then 'Preferences' from the menu bar in the buddy list window.

See Also

http://www.debian.org/security/2002/dsa-158

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 14995

File Name: debian_DSA-158.nasl

Version: 1.21

Type: local

Agent: unix

Published: 9/29/2004

Updated: 1/4/2021

Supported Sensors: Agentless Assessment, Frictionless Assessment Agent, Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 6.0

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 7.5

Temporal Score: 5.5

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

Vulnerability Information

CPE: p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:gaim, cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:3.0

Required KB Items: Host/local_checks_enabled, Host/Debian/release, Host/Debian/dpkg-l

Exploit Ease: No known exploits are available

Patch Publication Date: 8/27/2002

Vulnerability Publication Date: 8/27/2002

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2002-0989

BID: 5574

DSA: 158