CVE-2012-1257 in Pidgin
Summary
by MITRE
Pidgin 2.10.0 uses DBUS for certain cleartext communication, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information via a dbus session monitor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1257 affects Pidgin version 2.10.0 and represents a significant information disclosure issue stemming from the application's use of DBUS for cleartext communication. This flaw enables local attackers to intercept sensitive data through DBUS session monitoring, creating a pathway for unauthorized information access that could compromise user privacy and system security. The vulnerability exists within the communication protocols that Pidgin employs for handling certain types of data transmission, specifically those involving DBUS interfaces that operate in cleartext mode.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Pidgin's reliance on DBUS for specific communication channels while failing to properly secure the data flowing through these interfaces. When Pidgin establishes DBUS sessions for certain functions, it transmits information in cleartext format without adequate encryption or access controls. This design flaw means that any local user with monitoring capabilities can capture and analyze the DBUS traffic to extract sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because DBUS is designed as a message bus system that facilitates communication between applications, and when used improperly, it can become a vector for information leakage.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows local attackers to obtain sensitive information that may include user credentials, chat messages, contact lists, or other private data transmitted through Pidgin's DBUS interfaces. The attack requires only local access to the system and the ability to monitor DBUS sessions, making it relatively accessible to malicious users with basic system privileges. This information disclosure could lead to broader security compromise if the intercepted data includes authentication tokens, session identifiers, or other sensitive communication metadata that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues related to insufficient entropy and improper handling of sensitive data, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for execution through local commands and T1041 for data extraction. Organizations using Pidgin version 2.10.0 should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of the software, implementing proper DBUS access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized DBUS session monitoring activities. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling unnecessary DBUS functionality when it is not required for core Pidgin operations, and ensure that all DBUS communications are properly encrypted and authenticated to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future.