XChat 2.0.x SOCKS5 Vulnerability — GLSA 200404-15

XChat is vulnerable to a stack overflow that may allow a remote attacker to run arbitrary code.

Affected packages

Package 	net-irc/xchat on all architectures
Affected versions 	< 2.0.8-r1
Unaffected versions 	>= 2.0.8-r1

Background

XChat is a multiplatform IRC client.

Description

The SOCKS 5 proxy code in XChat is vulnerable to a remote exploit. Users would have to be using XChat through a SOCKS 5 server, enable SOCKS 5 traversal which is disabled by default and also connect to an attacker's custom proxy server.

Impact

This vulnerability may allow an attacker to run arbitrary code within the context of the user ID of the XChat client.

Workaround

A workaround is not currently known for this issue. All users are advised to upgrade to the latest version of the affected package.

Resolution

All XChat users should upgrade to the latest stable version:

 # emerge sync
 
 # emerge -pv ">=net-irc/xchat-2.0.8-r1"
 # emerge ">=net-irc/xchat-2.0.8-r1"

Note that users of the gtk1 version of xchat (1.8.*) should upgrade to xchat-1.8.11-r1:

 # emerge sync
 
 # emerge -pv "=net-irc/xchat-1.8.11-r1"
 # emerge "=net-irc/xchat-1.8.11-r1"

References

    XChat 2.0.x SOCKS5 Vulnerability
    CVE-2004-0409