CVE-2004-0500: Buffer overflow in the MSN protocol plugins (1) object.c and (2) slp.c for Gaim before 0.82 allows remote atta

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HIGH 7.5WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2004-0500 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting gaim, linux, mandrake linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in the MSN protocol plugins (1) object.c and (2) slp.c for Gaim before 0.82 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via MSNSLP protocol messages that are not properly handled in a strncpy call.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	5.0% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-09-28
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gentoo · mandrakesoft · rob flynn

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-09-28 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rob flynn gaim DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.10 · 0.10.3 · 0.50 · 0.51 · 0.52 · 0.53 · 0.54 · 0.55

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.10

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy gaim || rpm -q gaim || gaim --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.10 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gaim sudo apt install gaim=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.10> sudo apt-mark hold gaim

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list gaim sudo dnf downgrade gaim-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.10> sudo dnf versionlock add gaim

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

gentoo linux MITIGATE

Affected: 1.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

mandrakesoft mandrake linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.2 · 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.2

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2004-0500?

gaim: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mandrake linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-0500 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0500 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2004-0500 affect?

CVE-2004-0500 affects gaim, linux, mandrake linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Buffer overflow in the MSN protocol plugins (1) object.c and (2) slp.c for Gaim before 0.82 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via MSNSLP protocol messages that are not properly handled

How urgent is CVE-2004-0500?

Priority 54/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

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References

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