FortiGuard Center

FortiGuard Advisory (FGA-2008-18)

Microsoft Windows Messenger Illegal Remote Access Vulnerability
2008.August.12

Summary:

A remote illegal access vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows Messenger. An attacker can compromise Messenger by constructing a malicious web page. Once the victim visits this page, the attacker can manipulate the victim's Messenger and access personal information.

Impact:

Unauthorized transfer of personal information and identity manipulation.

Risk:
  • Medium

Affected Software:
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.7
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 5.1

For a list of operating system versions affected with these products, please see the Microsoft Bulletin reference below.

Additional Information:

The affected Messenger versions allow access to the MSN API through an ActiveX control. By using this ActiveX control, a remote attacker can control a victim's MSN Messenger. For example: change online status, retrieve current login ID and contact list, send mail on behalf of the victim, or initiate an audio/video conversation with a third party.

As long as an affected Messenger version is installed, additional installs of MSN Messenger and/or Windows Live Messenger will be vulnerable.

Solutions:
  • Use the solution provided by Microsoft (MS08-050).
  • The FortiGuard Global Security Research Team released a signature "MS.Live.Messenger.Illegal.Access" on February 15th, 2008, which covers this specific vulnerability.
Fortinet customers who subscribe to Fortinet’s intrusion prevention (IPS) service are protected against this illegal remote access vulnerability. Fortinet’s IPS service is one component of FortiGuard Subscription Services, which also offer comprehensive solutions such as antivirus, Web content filtering and antispam capabilities. These services enable protection against threats on both application and network layers. FortiGuard Services are continuously updated by the FortiGuard Global Security Research Team, which enables Fortinet to deliver a combination of multi-layered security intelligence and true zero-day protection from new and emerging threats. These updates are delivered to all FortiGate, FortiMail and FortiClient products. Fortinet strictly follows responsible disclosure guidelines to ensure optimum protection during a threat's lifecycle.

References:

Acknowledgment:
  • Haifei Li of Fortinet's FortiGuard Global Security Research Team


Disclaimer:

Although Fortinet has attempted to provide accurate information in these materials, Fortinet assumes no legal responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information. More specific information is available on request from Fortinet. Please note that Fortinet's product information does not constitute or contain any guarantee, warranty or legally binding representation, unless expressly identified as such in a duly signed writing.

About Fortinet ( www.fortinet.com ):

Fortinet is the pioneer and leading provider of ASIC-accelerated unified threat management, or UTM, security systems, which are used by enterprises and service providers to increase their security while reducing total operating costs. Fortinet solutions were built from the ground up to integrate multiple levels of security protection--including firewall, antivirus, intrusion prevention, VPN, spyware prevention and anti-spam -- designed to help customers protect against network and content level threats. Leveraging a custom ASIC and unified interface, Fortinet solutions offer advanced security functionality that scales from remote office to chassis-based solutions with integrated management and reporting. Fortinet solutions have won multiple awards around the world and are the only security products that are certified in six programs by ICSA Labs: (Firewall, Antivirus, IPSec, SSL, Network IPS, and Anti-Spyware). Fortinet is privately held and based in Sunnyvale, California.