Gmail Accounts ‘Wide Open to Exploit’ – Report
The flaw which was discovered by Goldshlagger and was tested many times by Nana’s editorial board had shown an alarming success rate. In order not to further jeopardize mail boxes’ owners, we will only disclose that the process is based upon a security breach in the service’s identity authentication. It allows the hacker to “snatch” the victims cookie file (a file planted in the victim’s computer used to identify him) using a seemingly innocent link (which directs to Gmail’s site itself).
Once stolen, this cookie file allows the hacker to identify himself as the victim, without the need of a password. Even if the victim does change his password afterwards, it will be to no avail. The system authenticates the hacker as the victim, using the stolen cookie file. Thus no password is involved in the authentication process. The victim can change his password as many times as he pleases, and it still won’t stop the hacker from using his box”, explains Goldshlagger.
Wandering the Interwebs 