CVE-2017-5668: bitlbee-libpurple before 3.5.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-5668?

bitlbee: upgrade to newer than 3.4.2; bitlbee-libpurple: upgrade to newer than 3.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-5668 being exploited?

CVE-2017-5668 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-2017-5668 affect?

CVE-2017-5668 affects bitlbee, bitlbee-libpurple. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). bitlbee-libpurple before 3.5.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a file transfer request for a contact that is not in the contact list. NOTE: t

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-5668?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2017-5668 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting bitlbee, bitlbee-libpurple. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

bitlbee-libpurple before 3.5.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a file transfer request for a contact that is not in the contact list. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2016-10189.

Why this priority

Critical severity
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	3.0% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-476
Published	2017-03-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: bitlbee

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-03-14 14:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:21 UTCUpdated Record last modified

bitlbee bitlbee UPGRADE

Affected: <= 3.4.2

Fixed in: newer than 3.4.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.4.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade bitlbee

Note

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

bitlbee bitlbee-libpurple UPGRADE

Affected: <= 3.5

Fixed in: newer than 3.5

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy bitlbee-libpurple || rpm -q bitlbee-libpurple || bitlbee-libpurple --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade bitlbee-libpurple

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade bitlbee-libpurple

Note

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

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-2017-5668?

bitlbee: upgrade to newer than 3.4.2; bitlbee-libpurple: upgrade to newer than 3.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-5668 being exploited?

CVE-2017-5668 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-2017-5668 affect?

CVE-2017-5668 affects bitlbee, bitlbee-libpurple. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). bitlbee-libpurple before 3.5.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a file transfer request for a contact that is not in the contact list. NOTE: t

How urgent is CVE-2017-5668?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2016-10189 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE BitlBee before 3.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and crash) a
CVE-2016-10188 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE Use-after-free vulnerability in bitlbee-libpurple before 3.5 allows remote servers to cause a denial of servic

References

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