Critical vulnerability discovered in uTorrent

**Nemrod** · 08-12-2008, 04:38 PM

Critical Vulnerability Discovered in uTorrent

A vulnerability described as ‘critical’ has been discovered in versions of uTorrent and the official BitTorrent client. The ‘buffer overflow’ vulnerability can be exploited to compromise a user’s computer for the execution of arbitrary code. It is suggested that users should immediately update to uTorrent version 1.8 RC7 or higher. There is currently no fix for the official client.

Secunia has issued two urgent security alerts, one for uTorrent and the other for the official BitTorrent client. Both clients are being developed by BitTorrent Inc.
The vulnerability was found in uTorrent and can be maliciously exploited to compromise a user’s computer, however, it also affects the official BitTorrent client since it’s based on the uTorrent code.
According to Secunia, “the vulnerability is caused due to a boundary error in the processing of .torrent files. This can be exploited to cause a stack-based buffer overflow by tricking the user into opening a .torrent file containing an overly long ‘created by’ field”.
A successful execution of the exploit would allow the attacker to run arbitrary code on the victim’s machine.
The vulnerability exists in uTorrent version 1.7.7 (Build 8179) and may well affect earlier versions too, although this isn’t yet confirmed. The flaw is also present in the official BitTorrent client, versions 6.xx.
The solution for uTorrent users is to immediately upgrade to version 1.8. Currently there is no solution for those using the official client so caution is advised when using unverified torrents.

Source: TorrentFreak

**SgtMajor** · 08-12-2008, 04:43 PM

I recall they announced all this when 1.7 came out and we were all advised to upgrade from our beloved 1.6.1.

Some trackers went into a wet frenzy and within a week we were all confused and had to run different version of utorrent for different trackers.

Seems like a case of "forced upgrade" again?

**condom-man** · 08-12-2008, 04:44 PM

yea right , the vulnerability was waiting to be discovered until 1.8 went gold

.this is what they said when utorrent 1.7 was released , ditch 1.6 A.S.A.P blah blah

edit : major we think alike ?

**Nemrod** · 08-12-2008, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by SgtMajor

I recall they announced all this when 1.7 came out and we were all advised to upgrade from our beloved 1.6.1.

Some trackers went into a wet frenzy and within a week we were all confused and had to run different version of utorrent for different trackers.

Seems like a case of "forced upgrade" again?

That was my first thought too.

I´d like to hear what some staff have to say. I don´t want to pass by that calvary again.

**dunson** · 08-12-2008, 05:02 PM

Scam Cohen et. al. forcing you PC users to upgrade again eh?

Transmission ftw!

**DoobieSnacks** · 08-12-2008, 05:04 PM

I dont see the big deal for people who use private trackers. Not like a malformed torrent would go unnoticed for long, and the uploader would be ban'd. Good to update for all you public tracker users though.

**markupmaster** · 08-12-2008, 05:50 PM

/me facepalms..

Here we go again...

**SenorBubbz** · 08-12-2008, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by SgtMajor

I recall they announced all this when 1.7 came out and we were all advised to upgrade from our beloved 1.6.1.

Some trackers went into a wet frenzy and within a week we were all confused and had to run different version of utorrent for different trackers.

Seems like a case of "forced upgrade" again?

Dead on.

I now have a sinking feeling in my stomach about the people who "found" this vulnerability.