CVE-2017-5591: An incorrect implementation of "XEP-0280: Message Carbons" in multiple XMPP clients allows a remote attacker t

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MEDIUM 5.9REMOTEUPGRADEUPGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2017-5591 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.9) affecting sleekxmpp, slixmpp, poezio. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An incorrect implementation of "XEP-0280: Message Carbons" in multiple XMPP clients allows a remote attacker to impersonate any user, including contacts, in the vulnerable application's display. This allows for various kinds of social engineering attacks. This CVE is for SleekXMPP up to 1.3.1 and Slixmpp all versions up to 1.2.3, as bundled in poezio (0.8 - 0.10) and other products.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.7% (top 22%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20, CWE-346
Published	2017-02-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: poezio · sleekxmpp project · slixmpp project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-02-09 20:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:20 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sleekxmpp project sleekxmpp UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.3.1

Fixed in: newer than 1.3.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade sleekxmpp

Note

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

slixmpp project slixmpp UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.2.3

Fixed in: newer than 1.2.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.2.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade slixmpp

Note

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

poezio poezio DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.8 · 0.8.1 · 0.9 · 0.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.8

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison poezio sudo apt install poezio=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.8> sudo apt-mark hold poezio

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

dnf --showduplicates list poezio sudo dnf downgrade poezio-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.8> sudo dnf versionlock add poezio

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.

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-2017-5591?

sleekxmpp: upgrade to newer than 1.3.1; slixmpp: upgrade to newer than 1.2.3; poezio: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-5591 being exploited?

CVE-2017-5591 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-2017-5591 affect?

CVE-2017-5591 affects sleekxmpp, slixmpp, poezio. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). An incorrect implementation of "XEP-0280: Message Carbons" in multiple XMPP clients allows a remote attacker to impersonate any user, including contacts, in the vulnerable application's display. This allows for various kinds of social engin

How urgent is CVE-2017-5591?

Priority 50/100. Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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