Re: Binary Planting Goes "Any File Type"

[Mitja Kolsek <mitja.kolsek () acrossecurity com>]

Hi Mario -

> Actually you *can* launch an executable that way, if you add a couple
> more clicks afterwards, or you right click on the file and choose a
> non default menu option. It's no more ridiculous than any other social
> engineering that requires people to hit a hotkey they probably never
> heard of and browse all the way to your malicious file...

This example merely provided one of possible alternatives to double-clicking a file, which I understood was one of 
Dan's major objections. Yes the example was over the top but also yes, it would work against some users who otherwise 
wouldn't double-click on a file. Attackers care about that.

Sure these attacks require some social engineering, but the research is not over. I'd like to refer you to 
http://blog.acrossecurity.com/2011/06/com-server-based-binary-planting-proof.html?m=1 for an example of how further 
research can reduce social engineering to mere visiting of malicious web page and two clicks on links on that page.

> IMHO what you're reporting is a great way to improve social
> engineering attacks. But you should flag it as such rather than
> calling it a 0day just for the sake of the fancy word. This is not a
> demerit of your work in any way, it's just a matter of using the
> proper vocabulary.

I fail to find the word "0day" in the blog post or my emails. Am I missing something?

Cheers,
Mitja


> On Sat, Jul 9, 2011 at 1:11 AM, Mitja Kolsek
> <mitja.kolsek () acrossecurity com> wrote:
> > Ok, Dan, just for you:
> >
> > Launch Internet Explorer 9 on Windows 7 (probably other IE/Win works too), go to File->Open (or press Ctrl+O), 
> > browse to Test.html and open it. No double-clicking and you couldn't launch an executable this way. Better?
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Mitja
> >
> > On Jul 8, 2011, at 9:10 PM, Dan Kaminsky <dan () doxpara com> wrote:
> >
> > > And here's where your exploit stops being one:
> > >
> > > ===
> > > Suppose the current version of Apple Safari (5.0.5) is our default web
> > > browser. If we put the above files in the same directory (on a local
> > > drive or a remote share) and double-click Test.html, what happens is
> > > the following:
> > > ===
> > >
> > > At this point, Test.html might actually be test.exe with the HTML icon
> > > embedded.  Everything else then is unnecessary obfuscation -- code
> > > execution was already possible the start by design.
> > >
> > > This is a neat vector though, and it's likely that with a bit more
> > > work it could be turned into an actual RCE.
> > >
> > > On Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 10:38 AM, ACROS Security Lists <lists () acros si> wrote:
> > > > We published a blog post on a nice twist to binary planting which we call "File
> > > > Planting." There'll be much more of this from us in the future, but here's the first
> > > > sample for you to (hopefully) enjoy.
> > > >
> > > > http://blog.acrossecurity.com/2011/07/binary-planting-goes-any-file-type.html
> > > >
> > > > or
> > > >
> > > > http://bit.ly/nXmRFD
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Best regards,
> > > >
> > > > Mitja Kolsek
> > > > CEO&CTO
> > > >
> > > > ACROS, d.o.o.
> > > > Makedonska ulica 113
> > > > SI - 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
> > > > tel: +386 2 3000 280
> > > > fax: +386 2 3000 282
> > > > web: http://www.acrossecurity.com
> > > > blg: http://blog.acrossecurity.com
> > > >
> > > > ACROS Security: Finding Your Digital Vulnerabilities Before Others Do
> > > >
> > > >
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