CVE-2002-0155 in MSN Messenger Service for Exchange
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Microsoft MSN Chat ActiveX Control, as used in MSN Messenger 4.5 and 4.6, and Exchange Instant Messenger 4.5 and 4.6, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long ResDLL parameter in the MSNChat OCX.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0155 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Microsoft MSN Chat ActiveX control that affected widely deployed instant messaging clients. This vulnerability specifically impacts MSN Messenger versions 4.5 and 4.6, as well as Exchange Instant Messenger versions 4.5 and 4.6, creating a significant security risk for users of these legacy applications. The flaw resides in the handling of the ResDLL parameter within the MSNChat OCX component, which fails to properly validate input length before processing. This oversight creates a condition where an attacker can craft malicious input exceeding the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the ActiveX control's parameter processing mechanism. When the ResDLL parameter exceeds the predetermined buffer size, the overflow propagates into adjacent memory regions, potentially overwriting critical program execution data such as return addresses or function pointers. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code into the target system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents one of the most common and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in legacy applications. The attack vector requires the victim to interact with a malicious web page or application that triggers the vulnerable ActiveX control, making this a typical client-side exploitation scenario.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0155 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to affected systems. The widespread deployment of MSN Messenger and Exchange Instant Messenger across enterprise and personal networks amplified the potential damage, since successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized data access, system reconnaissance, or further network propagation. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution, demonstrating how legacy ActiveX controls could serve as attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries. Organizations using these vulnerable applications faced significant risk as the exploitation required minimal user interaction, often through social engineering tactics that could trick users into visiting malicious websites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability centered around immediate patching of affected applications, as Microsoft released security updates to address the buffer overflow condition in subsequent versions of their messaging clients. System administrators were advised to disable ActiveX controls in web browsers or implement strict security policies that prevented automatic execution of potentially malicious content. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in legacy applications that continued to support ActiveX components. Security professionals recommended implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to prevent access to known malicious sites. Additionally, user education programs became essential to raise awareness about the risks associated with downloading and executing untrusted ActiveX controls. Organizations with legacy systems were encouraged to migrate away from ActiveX-based technologies to more secure modern alternatives, as this vulnerability exemplified the inherent security risks present in older component-based architectures. The incident underscored the critical need for continuous security assessment of deployed applications and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for enterprise software environments.