CLOUDM0N
Repository intelligence

mk6i/open-oscar-server

GitHub

An open-source instant messaging server written in Go that is compatible with classic AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and ICQ clients [1].

CLOUDM0N decision
REVIEW BEFORE ADOPTION
Trust REVIEW · 65/100
Good fit if

Retro computing enthusiasts and developers who want to run or connect vintage instant messaging clients [1, 2].

Watch out for

You require a commercial chat platform, as the project is strictly non-commercial and unaffiliated with AOL or Yahoo! Inc [1].

Practical intelligence

What matters before you adopt it

Problem it solves

The inability to use vintage AIM and ICQ clients due to the decommissioning of the original, commercial AOL and ICQ server infrastructures [1, 2].

Best for
Retro computing enthusiasts and developers who want to run or connect vintage instant messaging clients [1, 2].
Hobbyists seeking to host a private chat network compatible with legacy desktop protocols [1, 2].
Main trade-offs
You require a commercial chat platform, as the project is strictly non-commercial and unaffiliated with AOL or Yahoo! Inc [1].
Why it stands out
Broad compatibility with classic Windows AIM clients (v1.x to v7.x) and Windows ICQ clients (98x to 5) [1, 2].
Written in Go, providing cross-platform portability and ease of compilation [1, 3].
Includes a scriptable Management API for user administration and session tracking [3].
Trust & CVEs

Security evidence without the noise

Trust remains a decision signal; CVEs and scanner evidence explain what is driving the risk.

Security findings
2
CLOUDM0N scanner findings
Critical
0
High
1
Medium
1
Low
0
View trust evidence & security findings▼
Why this score
No trust rationale was stored for this scan.
CLOUDM0N findings
HIGH
Remote download piped or chained into a shell requires manual review. 1 sample match(es) found.
MEDIUM
Dockerfile does not end with an explicit non-root USER.
Architecture from code13 modules · 0 edges▼
Structural evidence

Modules and dependency edges extracted from repository code. This is code evidence, not README inference.

Code files
0
Modules
13
Dependency edges
0
Core modules
Dependency flow
No dependency edges were extracted.
Detected languages
Go · SQL · Shell
Detected frameworks
—
Architecture evidence details
flowchart TD
    %% repo — high-level architecture (DRAFT, refine me)
Evidence, security & integrations▼
Integrations
GoAIMICQTOC1 Protocol (including Quick Buddy, gaim, and TiK)TOC2 Protocol (including vAIM, Miranda, and iEM)
Security notes
• Provides built-in privacy configurations to allow or block specific users [1].
• Secures administrative actions like password resets and session listing behind the local Management API [3, 4].
Still unknown
• The README does not explicitly state trade-offs or operational constraints, though it mentions certain file-sharing features (Direct Connect and Get File) are restricted to LAN only [1].
• The README does not state system hardware prerequisites like minimum memory, CPU power, or disk footprint.
• No information is provided about database requirements or how user accounts and passwords are encrypted and persisted.
Adoption guidance▼
Adopt if
+ You want to spin up a private server to revive vintage AIM or ICQ desktop clients for nostalgic or research purposes [1, 2].
+ You need a lightweight, easily administered retro messaging server written in a modern language [1, 3].
Avoid if
– You require a commercial chat platform, as the project is strictly non-commercial and unaffiliated with AOL or Yahoo! Inc [1].
How it works & getting started▼
How it works
1.The administrator compiles and runs the Open OSCAR Server executable on a compatible host platform [2, 3].
2.The administrator configures users and public chat rooms using the command-line Management API [3, 4].
3.The users configure their classic AIM or ICQ clients to point to the server's network address [2].
4.The clients establish connections over TOC or OSCAR protocols to exchange messages, check buddy lists, and join chat rooms [1, 2].
Getting started
→ Compile and run the server by following the build guide [3].
→ Refer to the quickstart guide matching your operating system (Linux, macOS, or Windows) to start the server [2].
→ Set up your legacy client using the provided AIM or ICQ Client Setup Guides [2].
Agent handoff
Use with any agent
JSON API
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