Security News > 2024 > April > Telegram fixes Windows app zero-day used to launch Python scripts
Telegram fixed a zero-day vulnerability in its Windows desktop application that could be used to bypass security warnings and automatically launch Python scripts.
The next day, a proof of concept exploit was shared on the XSS hacking forum explaining that a typo in the source code for Telegram for Windows could be exploited to send Python.
In a statement to BleepingComputer, Telegram rightfully disputes that the bug was a zero-click flaw but confirmed they fixed the "Issue" in Telegram for Windows to prevent Python scripts from automatically launching when clicked.
"Rumors about the existence of zero-click vulnerabilities in Telegram Desktop are inaccurate. Some"experts" recommended to "disable automatic downloads" on Telegram - there were no issues which could have been triggered by automatic downloads.
Pyzw file extension with the Python executable, causing Python to execute the scripts automatically when the file is double-clicked.
To masquerade the file, researchers devised using a Telegram bot to send the file with a mime type of 'video/mp4,' causing Telegram to display the file as a shared video.