# CVE-2015-8833: Use after free in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via a use-after-free flaw in the Pidgin OTR plugin's authentication dialog.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 8 Apr 2016
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2015-8833, DSA-3528-1, GHSA-r9f9-6pf9-r2c4, MGASA-2016-0125, SUSE-SU-2016:0912-1

## What is CVE-2015-8833?

CVE-2015-8833 is a critical use after free vulnerability in n/a, published on 8 Apr 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Use-after-free vulnerability in the create_smp_dialog function in gtk-dialog.c in the Off-the-Record Messaging (OTR) pidgin-otr plugin before 4.0.2 for Pidgin allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the "Authenticate buddy" menu item.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2015-8833?

It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `pidgin-otr` | SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 | All versions | 4.0.0-8.1 |
| `pidgin-otr` | SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP1 | All versions | 4.0.0-8.1 |
| `pidgin-otr` | SUSE:Linux Enterprise Workstation Extension 12 | All versions | 4.0.0-8.1 |
| `pidgin-otr` | SUSE:Linux Enterprise Workstation Extension 12 SP1 | All versions | 4.0.0-8.1 |

Products: Cypherpunks Pidgin-Otr.

## How do I fix CVE-2015-8833?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2015-8833 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2015-8833 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2012-2369](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-2369/): Other in n/a (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2015-8833 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2015-8833 is a critical use after free vulnerability in n/a, published on 8 Apr 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2015-8833 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-8833/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-8833/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-8833
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-8833
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2015-8833

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-8833/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.