CVE-2010-0278 in Windows Live Messenger
Summary
by MITRE
A certain ActiveX control in msgsc.14.0.8089.726.dll in Microsoft Windows Live Messenger 2009 build 14.0.8089.726 on Windows Vista and Windows 7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (msnmsgr.exe crash) by calling the ViewProfile method with a crafted argument during an MSN Messenger session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0278 represents a classic buffer overflow condition within the ActiveX control infrastructure of Microsoft Windows Live Messenger 2009. This flaw exists in the msgsc.14.0.8089.726.dll component that handles messenger session management, specifically when processing the ViewProfile method through the msnmsgr.exe process. The vulnerability manifests as a remote denial of service condition that can be triggered by malicious actors without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The issue is particularly concerning because it operates within a widely deployed messaging application that users frequently interact with, making it an attractive target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper input validation within the ActiveX control's ViewProfile method. When an attacker crafts a malicious argument and passes it to this method during an active MSN Messenger session, the control fails to properly handle the malformed input, leading to memory corruption that ultimately causes the msnmsgr.exe process to crash. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific implementation likely involves heap corruption given the nature of ActiveX controls and dynamic memory allocation. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear lack of bounds checking and input sanitization in the control's method implementation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to user productivity and system availability within enterprise environments where Windows Live Messenger is deployed. The denial of service condition effectively disrupts communication channels for affected users, potentially causing cascading effects in business operations that depend on instant messaging for coordination. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely, meaning that users do not need to be actively engaged in a session for the attack to succeed. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be used as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks, particularly when combined with social engineering tactics to诱导 users into initiating malicious sessions. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers legitimate credentials and session hijacking, though the specific implementation here focuses on service disruption rather than credential theft.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in environments with less sophisticated security awareness. The attack vector is accessible through normal messaging protocols, meaning that users can be compromised simply by receiving or viewing a malicious message. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential spread of such attacks, while also maintaining updated security policies regarding the use of legacy messaging applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of legacy ActiveX controls in modern computing environments. Microsoft's response to this vulnerability was to issue a security update, but the broader implications emphasize the need for comprehensive application security reviews and the eventual retirement of outdated technologies that continue to pose security risks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of how seemingly minor implementation flaws in widely used software can create significant security concerns that persist long after initial deployment.