Out-of-bounds write in pidgin
Priority MEDIUM 51CWE-787Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 6 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-787 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
An out-of-bounds write flaw was found in the way Pidgin before 2.12.0 processed XML content. A malicious remote server could potentially use this flaw to crash Pidgin or execute arbitrary code in the context of the pidgin process.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.06179 93rd percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Red Hat: 1 advisoryRed Hat: 6 fixed, 2 without a fix
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pidgin | pidgin | 2.12.0 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- pidgin VendorPidgin Affected 2.12.0 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 8
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:pidgin:pidgin:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 2.12.0 | Vulnerable | Pidgin |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.4 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.4 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.5 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
- cpe:2.3:a:pidgin:pidgin:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 2.12.0 Vulnerable ·Pidgin
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.4 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.4 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.5 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2017:1854 Released 2017-08-01 · Red Hat rating Moderatepidgin security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) libpurple-2.10.11-5.el7, pidgin-2.10.11-5.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) finch-2.10.11-5.el7, finch-devel-2.10.11-5.el7, libpurple-devel-2.10.11-5.el7 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) libpurple-2.10.11-5.el7, libpurple-2.10.11-5.el7.ppc, pidgin-2.10.11-5.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) finch-2.10.11-5.el7, finch-2.10.11-5.el7.ppc, finch-devel-2.10.11-5.el7 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) libpurple-2.10.11-5.el7, pidgin-2.10.11-5.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) finch-2.10.11-5.el7, finch-devel-2.10.11-5.el7, libpurple-devel-2.10.11-5.el7 +4
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2017:1854 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2017:1854 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2017:1854 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2017:1854 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2017:1854 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2017:1854 |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2017-2640
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-556c-qpr9-626c
References
More Pidgin vulnerabilities
- TI-2019-15597 Pidgin 2.13.0 Denial of Service via Malformed Username CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 6.9
- TI-2009-02576 The msn_slplink_process_msg function in libpurple/protocols/msn/slplink.c in libpurple… CVSS 2.0HIGH 10.0
- TI-2013-05439 The SIMPLE protocol functionality in Pidgin before 2.10.8 allows remote attackers to have… CVSS 2.0HIGH 10.0
- TI-2009-01309 Multiple integer overflows in the msn_slplink_process_msg functions in the MSN protocol… CVSS 2.0HIGH 9.3
- TI-2011-02815 gtkutils.c in Pidgin before 2.10.0 on Windows allows user-assisted remote attackers to… CVSS 2.0HIGH 9.3
- TI-2013-05436 gtkutils.c in Pidgin before 2.10.8 on Windows allows user-assisted remote attackers to… CVSS 2.0HIGH 9.3
Sources
- CVE-2017-2640 · CVE Program
- CVE-2017-2640 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-556c-qpr9-626c · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2017-2640 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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