Attackers can discover IP address by sending a link over the Skype mobile app

A security researcher demonstrated how to discover a target’s IP address by sending a link over the Skype mobile app.

The security researcher Yossi discovered that is possible to discover a target’s IP address by sending a link over the Skype mobile app. The researcher pointed out that the attack only requires the target to open the message. The problem only impacts the Skype mobile app.

The knowledge of the IP address can allow threat actors to find the physical location of the target posing a risk to their privacy, security, and safety.

According to 404 Media, Yossi reported the issue to Microsoft earlier this month, but it seems that the company initially downplayed the problem and gave no indication that it plans to address the flaw.

“[the] disclosure of an IP address is not considered a security vulnerability on it’s [sic] own,” Microsoft told Yossi.

However, after 404 Media contacted Microsoft for comment, the IT giant announced it plans to fix the problem in an upcoming update.

“The attack could pose a serious risk to activists, political dissidents, journalists, those targeted by cybercriminals, and many more people.” state 404 Media “At minimum, an IP address can show what area of a city someone is in. An IP address can be even more revealing in a less densely populated area, because there are fewer people who could be associated with it.”

The popular cybersecurity reporter JOSEPH COX, personally tested Yossi’s attack.

Cox explained that the technique was working both when he connected to Skype using a virtual private network and when he connected to a public Wi-Fi network without a VPN.

Source 404media

404 Media only revealed that the issue is simply exploitable by manipulating a certain parameter related to the link. The reporters did not share details of the attacks because the flaw has yet to be fixed.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Skype)

Pierluigi Paganini

Pierluigi Paganini is member of the ENISA (European Union Agency for Network and Information Security) Threat Landscape Stakeholder Group and Cyber G7 Group, he is also a Security Evangelist, Security Analyst and Freelance Writer. Editor-in-Chief at "Cyber Defense Magazine", Pierluigi is a cyber security expert with over 20 years experience in the field, he is Certified Ethical Hacker at EC Council in London. The passion for writing and a strong belief that security is founded on sharing and awareness led Pierluigi to find the security blog "Security Affairs" recently named a Top National Security Resource for US. Pierluigi is a member of the "The Hacker News" team and he is a writer for some major publications in the field such as Cyber War Zone, ICTTF, Infosec Island, Infosec Institute, The Hacker News Magazine and for many other Security magazines. Author of the Books "The Deep Dark Web" and “Digital Virtual Currency and Bitcoin”.