CVE-2002-0591 in Instant Messenger
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) 4.8 beta and earlier allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files and execute commands via a Direct Connection with an IMG tag with a SRC attribute that specifies the target filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0591 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting AOL Instant Messenger versions 4.8 beta and earlier. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation within the AIM client's handling of direct connection protocols, specifically when processing image tags containing SRC attributes. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate file creation and execution operations by crafting malicious Direct Connection messages that exploit the client's insufficient path validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as a fundamental weakness in input validation. When AIM processes an IMG tag with a malicious SRC attribute, the client fails to properly sanitize the file path specification, allowing attackers to traverse directory structures beyond intended boundaries. This occurs because the application does not adequately validate or canonicalize file paths before attempting to create or access files on the local system. The vulnerability specifically affects the direct connection feature of AIM, where users can establish peer-to-peer communication channels, making it particularly dangerous as it operates outside the typical client-server security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file creation to encompass full command execution capabilities, making it a severe security risk for affected users. Attackers can leverage this flaw to place malicious files in arbitrary locations on the victim's system, potentially including system directories or locations with elevated privileges. This capability allows for persistent malware deployment, privilege escalation, and system compromise through the execution of arbitrary code. The vulnerability affects users running AIM 4.8 beta and earlier versions, representing a significant security gap that could be exploited in social engineering attacks or automated exploitation campaigns targeting vulnerable clients.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate version updates to AIM 4.8 final or later releases, which contain the necessary patches to address the directory traversal flaw. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious direct connection traffic patterns and consider network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper path handling in client applications, particularly those operating in peer-to-peer communication environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through file system manipulation, highlighting the need for comprehensive client-side security controls and regular software updates to maintain defense in depth.