CVE-2017-5590 : What You Need to Know

Multiple XMPP clients have a flawed implementation of "XEP-0280: Message Carbons", allowing an external attacker to impersonate users, leading to social engineering attacks. ChatSecure (iOS 3.2.0 to 4.0.0) and Zom (iOS up to 1.0.11) are affected.

Understanding CVE-2017-5590

An incorrect implementation of "XEP-0280: Message Carbons" in multiple XMPP clients allows a remote attacker to impersonate any user, including contacts, in the vulnerable application's display, enabling social engineering attacks.

What is CVE-2017-5590?

This CVE pertains to a vulnerability in XMPP clients that permits attackers to masquerade as any user, including contacts, on the affected application's interface, potentially leading to social engineering attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5590

Allows external attackers to impersonate users on affected XMPP clients
Paves the way for various forms of social engineering attacks

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5590

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the implementation of "XEP-0280: Message Carbons" in XMPP clients enables attackers to impersonate users, including contacts, on the application's interface.

Affected Systems and Versions

ChatSecure versions 3.2.0 to 4.0.0 (exclusive to iOS)
Zom all versions up to 1.0.11 (exclusive to iOS)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to masquerade as any user, including contacts, on the affected application's interface, facilitating social engineering attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-5590, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected XMPP clients to patched versions
Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources
Educate users about social engineering tactics and the importance of verifying identities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to mitigate known vulnerabilities
Implement multi-factor authentication to enhance user verification

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by XMPP client vendors
Monitor security advisories for any new developments related to this vulnerability