Published on Maximum PC (http://www.maximumpc.com)


Oops! Google Calendar Flaw Exposes Any Gmail User's Real Name
Created 07/17/2008 - 11:24am

Maximum IT
    • IBM Still Dominating Green500 List
    • EU Extends Oracle-Sun Deadline
    • Oracle and SpringSource Launch "Project Gemini"

    Sponsored
SEE MORE MAXIMUM IT
News
  • Mozilla Admits that Firefox has CPU Usage Problems
  • Man Arrested for Failing to Tweet
  • Beware of So-Called Black Friday Deals
  • ProFORMA Software Scans in 3D with Your Webcam
  • First Malicious Worm Hits the iPhone
SEE MORE NEWS
News

Oops! Google Calendar Flaw Exposes Any Gmail User's Real Name

Posted 07/17/08 at 02:24:51 PM  by Paul Lilly

comment Commentsprint Printemail EmailDeliciousDiggStumbleUponRedditFacebookSlashdot

Yikes! Google, the online monolith of all things, well, online, has made it incredibly easy for spammers to find out your real name. That means instead of seeing "Dear Sir" at the beginning of male organ enlargement solicitations, pill peddlers and every other unsavory seller can more easiy address you by name. Of course, if you're in the market for male miracle growth, then perhaps that's not such a bad thing.

In any event, a SecuriTeam blog outlines all the gritty details on how the exploit works, and to rub even more egg on Google's face, the blog chose to uncover the identity of admin at gmail dot com for its short tutorial. The bug works by entering a gmail address under the 'share this calendar' tab, adding them, and then saving. While the true identity isn't revealed at first, navigating back to the page is all it takes to see the person's real name. We haven't seen an exploit this stupidly simple since John Halderman discovered how to circumvent music CD copy protection just by holding down the shift key.

Oh, and feel to drop Drew a line. Not only did he give permission to post his Gmail info, but he did it with the full expectation that he'll find true love from a reader of these news posts.

COMMENTS:0
TAGS: windows, Software, Gmail, Google, calendar, flaw, expose
COMMENTS
  • Login or register to post comments
  • Technology News

  • Computer Cooling Fans

  • Computer Cases

  • PC Game Controllers

  • PC Games

  • Computer Hardware

  • Headphones

  • MP3 Players

  • Stream Video

  • Computer Mouse

  • Monitors

  • Motherboards

  • NAS Storage

  • Networking

  • Laptop Computers

  • DVD Burner

  • Digital Cameras

  • Portable Storage

  • Computer Accessories

  • Smartphone

  • Antivirus Software

  • Sound Cards

  • Speakers

  • Computer Systems

  • Thumb Drives

  • Video Cameras

  • Video Card Reviews

  • Water Cooling

  • Gadgets

  • Keyboards
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • RSS Feeds
  • TechBlips
  • PCHardwareBlips
  • Site Map
  • Customer Service
Future © 2009 Future US, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Source URL: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/oops_google_calendar_flaw_exposes_any_gmail_users_real_name

Links:
[1] http://www.maximumpc.com/user/one4yu2c
[2] http://blogs.securiteam.com/index.php/archives/1113
[3] http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2003/10/60780
[4] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/internet_security_2_0
[5] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/heal_and_inoculate_your_pc
[6] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/How-To--Hack-Gmail