CVE-2006-0766 in ICQ
Summary
by MITRE
ICQ Inc. (formerly Mirabilis) ICQ 2003a, 2003b, Lite 4.0, Lite 4.1, and possibly other Windows versions allows user-assisted remote attackers to hide malicious file extensions and bypass Windows security warnings via a filename that ends in an assumed-safe extension such as JPG, and possibly containing other modified properties such as company name, icon, and description, which could trick a user into executing arbitrary programs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2018
This vulnerability exists in multiple versions of the ICQ instant messaging client developed by ICQ Inc. formerly Mirabilis, specifically affecting ICQ 2003a, 2003b, Lite 4.0, and Lite 4.1 for Windows platforms. The security flaw stems from the application's insufficient validation of file attachments and their associated metadata, creating a pathway for malicious actors to craft deceptive file names that appear benign while concealing potentially harmful payloads. The vulnerability operates through a technique known as file extension manipulation where attackers can append seemingly safe extensions like .JPG to malicious files, exploiting user trust in common file types.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of file properties within the ICQ client's file transfer system. When users receive files through ICQ, the application displays file information including the file name, extension, and metadata such as company name, icon, and description. Attackers can exploit this by creating files with deceptive extensions that end in commonly trusted formats like JPG, PNG, or DOC, while simultaneously modifying other file properties to make the malicious file appear legitimate. This creates a false sense of security for users who may not notice that the actual file extension has been altered, as the display properties can be manipulated to show trusted file types.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables social engineering attacks that bypass standard Windows security mechanisms designed to warn users about potentially dangerous file types. Users who receive these manipulated files through ICQ may unknowingly execute malicious programs because the file appears to be a harmless image or document. This attack vector represents a classic example of the type of deception used in phishing and malware distribution campaigns, where the attacker leverages user familiarity with common file types to gain unauthorized execution privileges. The vulnerability essentially defeats the purpose of Windows security warnings that typically appear when users attempt to open files with potentially dangerous extensions.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-155 in the Common Weakness Enumeration, which describes the weakness of "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command" but more specifically relates to the improper handling of file name and extension validation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a technique used in the T1059.001 sub-technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries manipulate file properties to execute malicious code through trusted applications. The vulnerability also aligns with T1566, which covers Social Engineering tactics, as it relies heavily on user deception rather than direct technical exploitation. The attack requires user interaction to be successful, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be sufficiently security-aware.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include updating to patched versions of ICQ where the application properly validates file extensions and prevents manipulation of file properties during transfer operations. Users should be educated about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources, particularly when the file appears to be a common document or image type. Network administrators should implement additional security measures such as file type filtering at network boundaries and monitoring for suspicious file transfer patterns. The recommended approach involves both application-level fixes that properly validate file extensions and user awareness training to prevent successful exploitation of this social engineering vector. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for file attachments to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious content.