Gmail leaves your account open to spammers

[Jimmy 2004]

A new flaw has been exposed in Google’s Gmail service which could allow hackers to get hold of your contacts. When you log into your Gmail (Googlemail in some countries) account, Google will put your details into a JavaScript file. Because of this, if you browse other websites whilst logged into your account, any of them could potentially declare the function “google” and be able to get hold of all of your contacts. The only two ways to ensure your privacy is safe are to disable JavaScript in all websites except those you trust or to not browse other sites whilst logged into any Google service. Admittedly Gmail is still only a beta, but a fault like this could be quite serious.

Update: Disabling JavaScript did not solve this problem, however it appears that Google has now fixed this issue and your contacts list should be safe.

Source: Engadget

[spectre440]

hopefully google will do the right thing, and plug that hole in their user's security.

[peach1971]

Just use Firefox + Add-on NoScript.

Turn on Java to read your mails?
Lol, how far have we gone...

And here another usefull thing:
http://www.customizegoogle.com/

No more annoying ads!

[cdawall]

wondered how my account got spammed

[Atech]

Originally Posted by peach1971

Turn on Java to read your mails?
Lol, how far have we gone...

This vulnerability has nothing to do with Java.

[pt]

no spam for me
(i don't have java installed)

[peach1971]

Nothing to do with Java?

Google will put your details into a JavaScript file. Because of this, if you browse other websites whilst logged into your account, any of them could potentially declare the function “google” and be able to get hold of all of your contacts.

Sorry, I don´t get it, Atech.

[Jimmy 2004]

Originally Posted by Atech

This vulnerability has nothing to do with Java.

Well, from what I read when posting this story it was a JS (JavaScript) file that causes this problem, and you disable Java to protect yourself so it must link to Java

[Atech]

Originally Posted by Jimmy 2004

Well, from what I read when posting this story it was a JS (JavaScript) file that causes this problem, and you disable Java to protect yourself so it must link to Java

<script language="javascript">
function getContacts(response){
var output = "";
for(x=0;x<response.Body.Contacts.length;x++){
output += response.Body.Contacts[x].Name + " <" + response.Body.Contacts[x].Email + "> ";
}
alert(output);
}
</script>

<script language="javascript" xsrc="http://video.google.com/data/contacts?out=js&max=500 &psort=Affinity&callback=getContacts">
</script>

No calls to the Java API there.

Edit: Gah to having to escape characters within code tags ...

[Jimmy 2004]

Originally Posted by Atech

No calls to the Java API there.

Whatever the case is, log into your Gmail and click here to see a nice list of your contacts. I'm not sure how a hacker can get hold of this, but I expect it's true. The reason that it may no longer be using Java is because Google claim to have fixed the issue. I'm not expert on Java, I'm just informing people of what I find.

Edit: well I disabled JavaScript and that page still shows my contacts... but Gmail doesn't work. Probably need to clear my cookies ect.

Edit2: Disabling JavaScript does NOT seem to solve this problem, that link still shows my contacts after I have cleared all my internet data with Javascript disabled... and I can't even use the Gmail service!!!

Edit3: Couldn't the line
script language="javascript" xsrc="http://video.google.com/data/contacts?out=js&max=500 &psort=Affinity&callback=getContacts"
be linked to this?

[WarEagleAU]

Good thing I dont use Gmail, too hard to get one anywho.

[mout12]

Originally Posted by WarEagleAU

Good thing I dont use Gmail, too hard to get one anywho.

no. Go to mail.google.com, click 'SIGN UP', then enter your mobile phone number, and they'll send you a password via text message to your phone number. you'll have an account.

[Namslas90]

Just proves that you can't rely on anyone to secure your PC, but yourself!

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by WarEagleAU

Good thing I dont use Gmail, too hard to get one anywho.

whats your email i have some signups left

[pt]

i have 99, anyone wants ?

[Bull Dog]

Originally Posted by Jimmy 2004

Whatever the case is, log into your Gmail and click here to see a nice list of your contacts. I'm not sure how a hacker can get hold of this, but I expect it's true. The reason that it may no longer be using Java is because Google claim to have fixed the issue. I'm not expert on Java, I'm just informing people of what I find.
...snip.

That link doesn't work for me.....meaning that when I am logged into my Gmail acct, and when I click on the link all I get is this:
google ({
Success: false,
Errors: []
})

Using FireFox.

[Jimmy 2004]

Originally Posted by Bull Dog

That link doesn't work for me.....meaning that when I am logged into my Gmail acct, and when I click on the link all I get is this:
google ({
Success: false,
Errors: []
})

Using FireFox.

Me too, I think they must've fixed it. I've updated the newspost again.

When I clicked that link earlier it would bring up a list in which you could find any info about your contacts you had saved.