HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2015-8833
CRITICAL

CVE-2015-8833

NVD-CWE-OtherPublished: April 12, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8
CVSS v3.1

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.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2015-8833 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

cypherpunks1 product(s)
pidgin-otr
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

All References (24)

→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-03/msg00095.html
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-03/msg00109.html
→
http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3528
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/03/09/13
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/03/09/8
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/84295
→
https://blog.fuzzing-project.org/39-Heap-use-after-free-in-Pidgin-OTR-plugin-CVE-2015-8833.html
→
https://bugs.otr.im/issues/128
→
https://bugs.otr.im/issues/88
→
https://bugs.otr.im/projects/pidgin-otr/repository/revisions/aaf551b9dd5cbba8c4abaa3d4dc7ead860efef94
→
https://lists.cypherpunks.ca/pipermail/otr-users/2016-March/002582.html
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-10
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-03/msg00095.html
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2016-03/msg00109.html
→
http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3528

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2015-8833
CVSS Score9.8 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessNVD-CWE-Other
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedApr 12, 2016

Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-Other)

CVE-1999-0837
10.0
CVE-2005-3752
10.0
CVE-1999-0832
10.0
CVE-1999-0835
10.0
CVE-2000-0352
10.0
CVE-1999-0853
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2015-8833 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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