CenterICQ is a text-based instant messaging interface that supports multiple protocols. It includes the ktools library, which provides text-mode user interface controls.
Gentoo developer Wernfried Haas discovered that when the "Enable peer-to-peer communications" option is enabled, CenterICQ opens a port that insufficiently validates whatever is sent to it. Furthermore, Zone-H Research reported a buffer overflow in the ktools library.
A remote attacker could cause a crash of CenterICQ by sending packets to the peer-to-peer communications port, and potentially cause the execution of arbitrary code by enticing a CenterICQ user to edit overly long contact details.
There is no known workaround at this time.
All CenterICQ users should upgrade to the latest version:
# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=net-im/centericq-4.21.0-r2"