CVE-2008-5828 in Windows Live Messenger
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows Live Messenger Client 8.5.1 and earlier, when MSN Protocol Version 15 (MSNP15) is used over a NAT session, allows remote attackers to discover intranet IP addresses and port numbers by reading the (1) IPv4InternalAddrsAndPorts, (2) IPv4Internal-Addrs, and (3) IPv4Internal-Port header fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5828 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within Microsoft Windows Live Messenger Client version 8.5.1 and earlier implementations. This security issue specifically manifests when the MSN Protocol Version 15 (MSNP15) operates within Network Address Translation (NAT) environments, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit the client's handling of internal network addressing information. The flaw stems from the client's improper management of header fields that contain sensitive intranet addressing details, potentially exposing critical network topology information to unauthorized parties. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles by leaking internal network structure information that should remain confidential within private network boundaries.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the MSN Protocol Version 15's specific handling of IPv4 internal addressing information within its communication headers. When establishing connections through NAT sessions, the Windows Live Messenger client includes header fields such as IPv4InternalAddrsAndPorts, IPv4Internal-Addrs, and IPv4Internal-Port in its network communication protocols. These fields contain the internal IP addresses and port numbers that the client uses to establish connections within the local network environment. The flaw occurs because these internal addressing details are not properly sanitized or obscured before being transmitted in network communications, allowing remote parties to extract and analyze this information. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how protocol-level implementation flaws can create unintended information leakage channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial network topology data that can be leveraged for subsequent exploitation attempts. By obtaining internal IP addresses and port numbers, malicious actors can perform network mapping and reconnaissance activities that would otherwise be difficult or impossible from external network positions. This information can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including port scanning, service enumeration, and targeted exploitation of internal network services that might otherwise be protected by NAT and firewall configurations. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security benefits provided by NAT by exposing internal addressing information that should remain hidden from external network entities, creating potential entry points for lateral movement within compromised networks.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1083 File and Directory Discovery, as attackers can use the disclosed information to better understand network structure and identify potential targets. The vulnerability also represents a violation of the principle of least privilege, as the client unnecessarily exposes internal network information that should remain restricted to authorized internal communication channels. Organizations using Windows Live Messenger in environments where NAT is employed face particular risk, as the vulnerability becomes exploitable in typical corporate network configurations where NAT is commonly implemented for security and address space management purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to patched versions of the Windows Live Messenger client where Microsoft addressed the information disclosure issue in their protocol handling. System administrators should ensure that all affected clients are updated to versions that properly sanitize internal addressing information within protocol headers. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit the exposure of internal network information even when such vulnerabilities exist. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual header field patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper information hiding in network protocols and the need for security-conscious protocol design that prevents unintended information leakage through header fields and other communication metadata.