AOL <= 9.5 Phobos.Playlist 'Import()' Stack-Based Buffer Overflow
Vulnerability Description
AOL versions up to and including 9.5 includes an ActiveX control (Phobos.dll) that exposes a method called Import() via the Phobos.Playlist COM object. This method is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow when provided with an excessively long string argument. Exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the user, but only when the malicious HTML file is opened locally, due to the control not being marked safe for scripting or initialization. AOL remains an active and supported brand offering services like AOL Mail and AOL Desktop Gold, but the legacy AOL 9.5 desktop software—specifically the version containing the vulnerable Phobos.dll ActiveX control—is long discontinued and no longer maintained.
Impact Analysis
Refer to official advisory for detailed impact metrics.
Remediation
Ensure systems are updated to the latest vendor-supplied patch levels.
Am I Vulnerable?
Launch our assessment wizard to check if your infrastructure is exposed to • CVE-2010-10015
Credits & Attribution
The following person or organization is credited with identifying this vulnerability, as recorded in the NVD database:
- Hellcode Research
References
- https://web.archive.org/web/20100804162117/http://www.rec-sec.com/2010/01/25/aol-playlist-class-buffer-overflow/
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/windows/fileformat/aol_phobos_bof.rb
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/11204
- https://www.broadcom.com/support/security-center/attacksignatures/detail?asid=26569
- https://www.fortiguard.com/encyclopedia/ips/32026/aol-phobos-dll-activex-control-import-buffer-overflow
- https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=20354
- http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/11190
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/aol-phobos-playlist-import-stack-based-buffer-overflow
