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AOL Instant Messenger contains buffer overflows in parsing of AIM URI handler requests

Vulnerability Note VU#474592

Original Release Date: 2002-04-05 | Last Revised: 2002-04-05

Overview

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is an application that allows one peer to communicate with another. A buffer overflow vulnerability exists that can manipulate the configuration of the victim's client.

Description

AIM installs a URI handler that permits the use of the "aim:" protocol on the machine that enables people to post links on their websites, or send them in email messages to friends. For example:

<a href="aim:goim?screenname=myname">Send me an instant message here.</a>

One can also specify command line options to AIM for when it starts, permitting this vulnerability to be exploited by an application, or trojan. AIM versions 3.5.x and prior contain a buffer overflow. When specifying options using the aim protocol, or the command line, one can trigger a buffer overflow in the client. In addition to crashing the client, an attacker can add arbitrary "buddies" to an AIM user's buddy list by a malicious web page or html-based e-mail message.

Impact

An attacker can add arbitrary users to the victim's "buddy" list, or crash their client.

Solution

Upgrade to a version of AIM higher than 3.5.x.

Vendor Information

474592
 
Expand all

AOL Time Warner Affected

Notified:  October 17, 2001 Updated: January 28, 2002

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.


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References

Acknowledgements

Our thanks to @stake for the information contained in their advisory.

This document was written by Jason Rafail.

Other Information

CVE IDs: CVE-2000-1094
Severity Metric: 4.50
Date Public: 2000-12-12
Date First Published: 2002-04-05
Date Last Updated: 2002-04-05 21:28 UTC
Document Revision: 13

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