Microsoft Outlook mailto Command Line Switch Injection
03.11.08BACKGROUND
Microsoft Outlook provides an integrated solution for managing and organizing e-mail messages, schedules, tasks, notes, contacts, and other information. More information is available at the following URL.
http://office.microsoft.com/outlook/
DESCRIPTION
Remote exploitation of an input validation error in the handling of "mailto" URIs by Microsoft Corp.'s Outlook may allow arbitrary code execution.
It is possible to construct a "mailto" URI which causes the web browser to pass extra command line switches to Outlook. These switches can modify Outlook's account configuration.
ANALYSIS
Exploitation of this vulnerability may allow an attacker to access sensitive information or take complete control of an affected system. In order to exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to convince a user to view an attacker-controlled website.
DETECTION
iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook 2007 on Windows XP SP2. Previous versions may also be affected.
WORKAROUND
Disabling the "mailto" URI handler will prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. However, doing so will also disable e-mail links within all applications.
VENDOR RESPONSE
Microsoft has addressed this vulnerability with Security Bulletin MS08-015. For more information, consult their bulletin at the following URL.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms08-015.mspx
CVE INFORMATION
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CVE-2008-0110 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for security problems.
DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
07/03/2007 Initial vendor notification
07/03/2007 Initial vendor response
03/11/2008 Coordinated public disclosure
CREDIT
This vulnerability was discovered by Greg MacManus of iDefense Labs.
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LEGAL NOTICES
Copyright © 2008 Verisign, Inc.
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