CVE-2007-4960 in Second Life
Summary
by MITRE
Argument injection vulnerability in the Linden Lab Second Life secondlife:// protocol handler, as used in Internet Explorer and possibly Firefox, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a " (double-quote space) sequence followed by the -autologin and -loginuri arguments, which cause the handler to post login credentials and software installation details to an arbitrary URL.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2007
The CVE-2007-4960 vulnerability represents a critical argument injection flaw within the Linden Lab Second Life protocol handler implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects the secondlife:// protocol handler that is integrated into web browsers such as Internet Explorer and potentially Firefox. The flaw occurs when the protocol handler processes command-line arguments without proper validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate the handler's behavior through carefully crafted input sequences. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the browser protocol handler level, allowing attackers to intercept and manipulate sensitive user data during the Second Life client authentication process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the Second Life protocol handler component. When a user encounters a secondlife:// URI containing the specific sequence of double-quote space followed by -autologin and -loginuri arguments, the handler fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs. This lack of input validation creates a condition where the handler interprets the malicious arguments as legitimate command-line parameters, causing the system to execute unintended operations. The flaw operates under CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories, representing command injection vulnerabilities where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into system commands without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability enables attackers to construct malicious URLs that can manipulate the protocol handler to post sensitive information to arbitrary destinations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable full credential compromise and unauthorized software installation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to capture login credentials, session information, and other sensitive data that users might have entered while interacting with Second Life content. The vulnerability allows for the redirection of authentication details to attacker-controlled servers, making it possible to intercept and potentially reuse valid Second Life login information. Additionally, the ability to inject arguments that control software installation behavior creates opportunities for malicious payload delivery, potentially leading to full system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as it allows for arbitrary command execution through protocol handler manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from both end users and system administrators. Users should avoid clicking on untrusted secondlife:// URIs and ensure their browsers are configured to properly handle protocol handlers with appropriate security restrictions. System administrators should consider implementing browser security policies that restrict protocol handler execution or require explicit user confirmation before invoking external applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and parameter sanitization in protocol handler implementations, as recommended by security standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the age of this vulnerability, it serves as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining updated security practices and regularly reviewing protocol handler configurations to prevent similar injection vulnerabilities from compromising system integrity and user confidentiality.