CVE-2007-5124 in Instant Messenger
Summary
by MITRE
The embedded Internet Explorer server control in AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) 6.5.3.12 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified web script or HTML in an instant message, related to AIM s filtering of "specific tags and attributes" and the lack of Local Machine Zone lockdown. NOTE: this issue reportedly exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2007-4901.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5124 represents a critical security flaw in AOL Instant Messenger version 6.5.3.12 and earlier, where the embedded Internet Explorer server control creates an attack surface that enables remote code execution through malicious instant messages. This issue specifically exploits the inadequate filtering mechanisms implemented by AIM for handling web script and HTML content within instant messages, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in the application's security architecture that directly violates established web security principles.
The technical flaw stems from the improper handling of HTML content within AIM's instant messaging framework, where the application fails to adequately sanitize or filter specific HTML tags and attributes that could be exploited for malicious purposes. This vulnerability operates through the embedded Internet Explorer control that processes web content, which lacks proper Local Machine Zone lockdown mechanisms that would normally prevent execution of potentially harmful scripts. The incomplete fix for CVE-2007-4901 appears to have created a false sense of security while leaving critical gaps in the application's defense mechanisms. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize input that can lead to cross-site scripting and remote code execution scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems simply by sending a specially crafted instant message containing malicious HTML or script content. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited without requiring user interaction beyond accepting the message, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where AIM is commonly used. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic, as the embedded IE control can execute VBScript and JavaScript code, while also mapping to T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, where the attack targets the client-side application rather than server infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling the embedded Internet Explorer control within AIM, applying the latest security patches from AOL, and implementing network-level restrictions to prevent unauthorized access to AIM services. Security teams should also consider deploying email and instant messaging content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious HTML content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the necessity of maintaining secure coding practices in applications that integrate web browsing capabilities, particularly when dealing with user-generated content that may contain potentially malicious scripts. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of untrusted code within the AIM environment, and regularly audit system configurations to ensure proper security boundaries are maintained between trusted and untrusted content zones.