CVE-2002-2361 in Yahoo!
Summary
by MITRE
The installer in Yahoo! Messenger 4.0, 5.0 and 5.5 does not verify package signatures which could allow remote attackers to install trojan programs via DNS spoofing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2361 resides in the installer component of Yahoo! Messenger versions 4.0, 5.0, and 5.5, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the software distribution process. This weakness stems from the absence of package signature verification within the installation mechanism, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the trust model employed by the software installer, which fails to authenticate the legitimacy of downloaded packages before executing installation procedures.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows attackers to manipulate the software installation process through DNS spoofing techniques, where malicious actors redirect traffic intended for legitimate Yahoo! Messenger servers to compromised hosts. This attack vector leverages the fundamental principle of trust in software distribution, as the installer does not validate cryptographic signatures or integrity checks that would normally ensure downloaded packages have not been tampered with during transit. The absence of signature verification means that any package delivered to the installer can be executed without authentication, regardless of its source or integrity status. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-313, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage or transmission, and CWE-311, concerning the absence of encryption for sensitive data.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2361 extends beyond simple software installation compromise, as it enables attackers to deploy trojan programs that can execute with the privileges of the user running the installer. This creates a persistent threat vector where malicious code can establish backdoors, steal credentials, or perform other malicious activities on compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors with varying skill levels. The attack scenario typically involves intercepting network traffic between the user's system and Yahoo!'s legitimate servers, redirecting requests to attacker-controlled infrastructure, and serving malicious packages that appear legitimate to the vulnerable installer.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1195.001, which covers the use of DNS spoofing for malicious purposes, and T1059, addressing the execution of malicious code through various attack vectors. The vulnerability's timeframe spans the early 2000s when network security practices were less mature, and the concept of secure software distribution was not yet fully established in mainstream applications. Organizations and users operating affected versions of Yahoo! Messenger faced a significant risk of system compromise, as the vulnerability essentially removed any protection against malicious software installation. The lack of signature verification creates a fundamental flaw in the security architecture of the installer, making it impossible to distinguish between legitimate updates and malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2361 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates to versions that implement proper signature verification mechanisms. Users should avoid downloading software from untrusted sources and ensure their systems maintain up-to-date security patches. Network administrators should implement DNS security measures including DNSSEC deployment and monitor for suspicious DNS resolution patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure software distribution practices and the necessity of cryptographic verification in all installation processes. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect DNS spoofing attempts and other man-in-the-middle attacks that could exploit similar vulnerabilities in other software applications.