RE: Ability to read buddy list of AIM users

[emann () questinc org]

I think this depends on the version of AIM and if it is an upgrade install
or clean install.  I've been using AIM on my Win2K Machine at home for 2
years now and it still contunues to use \winnt\aim95 directory.

The newer versions may have taken to using the \documents and settings\
locations, but if you are upgrading from older versions that did not, it
still continues to use \winnt\aim95\



-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew J. Stackhouse [mailto:ajs () codewolf com]
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2002 12:25 PM
To: sunny licious; bugtraq () securityfocus com
Subject: Re: Ability to read buddy list of AIM users


Actually on my Win2k install (AIM version 4.7.2480), the file is in:
C:\Documents and Settings\<w2k user name>\Application Data\Aim\<AIM User
Name>

which would not be accessable by anyone but the user or someone with
Administrator's rights



----- Original Message -----
From: "sunny licious" <sunnylicious () hotmail com>
To: <bugtraq () securityfocus com>
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2002 11:30 AM
Subject: Ability to read buddy list of AIM users


> Ive been able to do this on publicly accessible
>  computers...such as university labs...You can see
>  the buddy list of other people who have signed on to
>  AIM on that computer. On win2k in the folder named
>  winnt/AIM95/"screenname" there is a file called
>  userinfo.bag which stores all the names on your
>  buddy list...all you have to do is traverse to a different
>  screenname directory and open up the file with any
>  editor. In win XP the folder is in
>  winnt/system32/aim95. This pretty much works on
>  any OS although I havent tried linux and Mac yet.
>  Although this may not be a serious threat, its pretty
>  much a violation of privacy...and that is a right we all
>  have correct?? corrrect..Its pretty easy for anyone
>  being nosy to start harrasing people on your buddy
>  list. I hope this isnt a repost. Contacting AOL also
> pretty much all that needs to be done is check out the
> aim95 folder for a file called userinfo.bag