CVE-2005-2103: Buffer overflow in the AIM and ICQ module in Gaim before 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of se

Q: How do I fix CVE-2005-2103?

gaim: upgrade to 1.5.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2005-2103 being exploited?

CVE-2005-2103 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2005-2103 affect?

CVE-2005-2103 affects gaim. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Buffer overflow in the AIM and ICQ module in Gaim before 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an away message with a large number of AIM substitution strings,

Q: How urgent is CVE-2005-2103?

Priority 69/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2005-2103 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting gaim. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in the AIM and ICQ module in Gaim before 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an away message with a large number of AIM substitution strings, such as %t or %n.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	16.1% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-131
Published	2005-08-16
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: gaim project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-08-16 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gaim project gaim UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.5.0

Fixed in: 1.5.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade gaim

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade gaim

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Gaim AIM/ICQ Protocols - Multiple Vulnerabilities

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-2005-2103?

gaim: upgrade to 1.5.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-2103 being exploited?

CVE-2005-2103 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-2005-2103 affect?

CVE-2005-2103 affects gaim. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Buffer overflow in the AIM and ICQ module in Gaim before 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an away message with a large number of AIM substitution strings,

How urgent is CVE-2005-2103?

Priority 69/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-2370 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE UPGRADE Multiple "memory alignment errors" in libgadu, as used in ekg before 1.6rc2, Gaim before 1.5.0, and other pack
CVE-2005-2102 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE The AIM/ICQ module in Gaim before 1.5.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application cras
CVE-2005-1934 MEDIUM 5.0 UPGRADE Gaim before 1.3.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a malformed MSN message tha
CVE-2005-1269 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Gaim before 1.3.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a Yahoo! messag
CVE-2005-1262 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE Gaim 1.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a malforme

References

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