CVE-2002-0591

AOL Instant Messenger - Directory Traversal and Arbitrary File Write via IMG Tag SRC Attribute

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2002-0591. PoCs published by Noah Johnson.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a directory traversal vulnerability in AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) to save files to arbitrary locations on a recipient's system by manipulating the SRC parameter of an img tag. The attack requires a direct connection between two AIM users and involves injecting malicious file data into the communication stream.

Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) 4.8 beta and earlier allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files and execute commands via a Direct Connection with an IMG tag with a SRC attribute that specifies the target filename.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Noah Johnson · htmlremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/21386

This exploit leverages a directory traversal vulnerability in AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) to save files to arbitrary locations on a recipient's system by manipulating the SRC parameter of an img tag. The attack requires a direct connection between two AIM users and involves injecting malicious file data into the communication stream.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Direct connection between two AIM users · Ability to inject malicious file data into the AIM communication stream
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Patch, Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/8870.php
Exploit, Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/4526
Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2002-04/0203.html

Scores

EPSS 0.1163
EPSS Percentile 95.5%

Details

Status published
Products (9)
aol/instant_messenger 4.0
aol/instant_messenger 4.1
aol/instant_messenger 4.2
aol/instant_messenger 4.3
aol/instant_messenger 4.4
aol/instant_messenger 4.5
aol/instant_messenger 4.6
aol/instant_messenger 4.7
aol/instant_messenger 4.8_beta
Published Jun 18, 2002
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026