CVE-2005-1407 in skype
Summary
by MITRE
skype for windows 1.2.0.0 to 1.2.0.46 allows local users to bypass the identity check for an authorized application then call arbitrary skype api functions by modifying or replacing that application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1407 represents a critical security flaw in Skype for Windows versions 1.2.0.0 through 1.2.0.46 that fundamentally undermines the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms. This issue stems from insufficient validation of application identity within Skype's architecture, creating a pathway for local attackers to manipulate the system's trust model. The vulnerability specifically targets the identity verification process that should prevent unauthorized applications from accessing Skype's API functions, effectively allowing malicious actors to impersonate legitimate applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a weakness in how Skype validates application authenticity during the API access process. When an application attempts to interact with Skype's API, the system should verify that the calling application is properly authorized and authenticated. However, in the affected versions, this validation can be bypassed through simple modification or replacement of the authorized application files. This flaw operates at the application-level security boundary where Skype's internal authorization checks fail to properly enforce access controls, allowing unauthorized code execution within the trusted Skype environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to both system integrity and user privacy. Local users who exploit this weakness can gain unauthorized access to Skype's API functions, potentially enabling them to perform actions such as sending messages, making calls, accessing contact lists, or manipulating chat history without proper authorization. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it allows for potential data exfiltration and communication manipulation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through application manipulation, where local privileges are leveraged to achieve elevated system access within the Skype context.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1548.002 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism). Attackers typically begin by identifying legitimate Skype applications that have proper API access permissions, then modify or replace these applications with malicious counterparts. The modified applications maintain the same identity and permissions as the original, fooling Skype's authorization system into granting access to restricted API functions. This approach demonstrates how insufficient input validation and weak integrity checks can create persistent security weaknesses that remain undetected until exploited.
Organizations and individual users should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Skype versions that address this vulnerability, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to Skype-related files. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potentially compromised Skype installations and ensure proper file integrity checks are in place. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust application integrity verification and demonstrates why security controls must be implemented at multiple layers of the system architecture. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of running unauthorized modifications to trusted applications, as this vulnerability specifically targets the manipulation of legitimate application components to achieve unauthorized access.