CVE-2001-1416 in Instant Messenger
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the log messages in certain Alpha versions of AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) 4.4 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script or HTML via an image in the (1) DATA, (2) STYLE, or (3) BINARY tags.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1416 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in early versions of AOL Instant Messenger version 4.4. This security weakness specifically affects the handling of log messages within the messaging client, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code. The vulnerability manifests through three distinct tag types including DATA, STYLE, and BINARY tags, which are processed by the client application without adequate input sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw resides in the client-side processing of these tags during log message generation, where user-supplied content containing these specific tag structures is not properly escaped or filtered before being rendered in the application's interface.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. The flaw occurs because the AIM client fails to implement proper output encoding or sanitization when processing log messages that contain these specific XML-like tags. When an attacker crafts a malicious message containing these tags with embedded JavaScript or HTML content, the client application processes these elements without adequate protection measures, leading to potential code execution within the context of the user's browser session. The DATA, STYLE, and BINARY tags represent different data handling mechanisms within the AIM protocol that are all susceptible to this injection attack vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1416 extends beyond simple script execution, as it allows attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and redirection to malicious websites. When a victim receives a specially crafted message containing these malicious tags, the embedded scripts execute automatically within their browser context, potentially compromising their session cookies, personal information, or redirecting them to phishing sites. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in the context of instant messaging applications where users frequently interact with messages from unknown or untrusted sources, creating an environment where such attacks can be easily initiated through social engineering or automated bot networks.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through messaging platforms. The vulnerability affects users of legacy AIM software and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation in client-side applications. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the problematic tag processing, implementing strict content filtering rules, and educating users about the risks of accepting messages from untrusted sources. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper output encoding and input validation in all web and client applications, particularly those handling user-generated content or external data feeds. The affected versions of AIM should be immediately updated or replaced with secure alternatives, and network administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and intrusion detection systems.