[Full-disclosure] iDefense Security Advisory 03.11.08: Microsoft Outlook mailto Command Line Switch Injection

iDefense Security Advisory 03.11.08
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Mar 11, 2008

I. BACKGROUND

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/

II. 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.

III. 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.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in Microsoft
Outlook 2007 on Windows XP SP2. Previous versions may also be affected.

V. WORKAROUND

Disabling the "mailto" URI handler will prevent exploitation of this
vulnerability. However, doing so will also disable e-mail links within
all applications.

VI. 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

VII. 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.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

07/03/2007 Initial vendor notification
07/03/2007 Initial vendor response
03/11/2008 Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

This vulnerability was discovered by Greg MacManus of iDefense Labs.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2008 iDefense, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct,
indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or
reliance on, this information.

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