New exploit hits MSN Messenger

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A new vulnerability has hit the MSN Messenger service, which could allow hackers to compromise the computers of people using the service.

A bug in the application's video chat component could allow an attacker to remotely execute code on a victim's system. The flaw affects versions 6.x and 7.x of the popular instant messaging application, while the new version, called Windows Live Messenger 8.1 is unaffected.

According to an advisory put out by IT security firm Secunia, users of the previous versions of MSN Messenger should upgrade to the latest version. Micorosft also recommended the same course of action to affected users.

The flaw was discovered by a security researcher, known only as "Wushi". The vulnerability is caused due to an error in the handling of video conversations and can be exploited to cause a heap-based buffer overflow via specially crafted data sent to a user. According to the advisory, successful exploitation may allow execution of arbitrary code, but requires that the victim accepts the incoming web cam invitation.

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