CVE-2010-0744 in Alvaros Messenger
Summary
by MITRE
aMSN (aka Alvaro s Messenger) 0.98.3 and earlier, when SSL is used, does not verify that the server hostname matches a domain name in the subject s Common Name (CN) field or a Subject Alternative Name field of the X.509 certificate, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof an MSN server via an arbitrary certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0744 affects aMSN version 0.98.3 and earlier implementations, specifically when Secure Sockets Layer encryption is employed. This represents a critical flaw in the certificate validation process that undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by SSL/TLS protocols. The vulnerability resides in the application's failure to properly validate server certificates against the expected hostname, creating a significant security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors.
This technical flaw constitutes a failure in the certificate verification mechanism where the application does not perform proper hostname validation against the X.509 certificate presented by the server. The vulnerability specifically occurs when the server certificate lacks a proper match between the hostname being connected to and either the Common Name field or Subject Alternative Name fields within the certificate. This allows attackers to present any valid certificate, regardless of whether it corresponds to the legitimate MSN server, and successfully establish a man-in-the-middle position in the communication channel.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to conduct successful man-in-the-middle attacks against users of aMSN when SSL encryption is enabled. An attacker positioned between the client and server can intercept, modify, or steal sensitive information transmitted between the user and the MSN service. This includes chat messages, authentication credentials, and potentially other sensitive data exchanged during the communication session. The vulnerability effectively nullifies the security benefits of SSL encryption, making it appear as though the connection is secure when it is not.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation and CWE-310 which covers cryptographic issues. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of how applications can undermine security protocols through inadequate implementation of standard security measures. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of aMSN or implement alternative messaging solutions that properly validate SSL certificates to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.