CVE-1999-0842 in Mail-Gear
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Mail-Gear 1.0 web interface server allows remote users to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-0842 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Symantec Mail-Gear 1.0 web interface server that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the underlying system. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web server's file handling mechanisms, specifically failing to properly sanitize user-supplied paths before processing file requests. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate file path parameters using directory traversal sequences such as ".." to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries and access restricted system files.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates by exploiting the web server's failure to validate or filter malicious path sequences in file access requests. When a user submits a request containing directory traversal sequences, the server processes these requests without proper sanitization, allowing the attacker to specify arbitrary file paths. The vulnerability specifically affects the web interface server component of Symantec Mail-Gear 1.0, which serves as the primary administrative and user access point for the email management system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to retrieve sensitive system files including configuration data, user credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Remote attackers can potentially access critical system information such as database connection strings, administrative credentials, and application configuration files that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to sensitive data without requiring authentication or physical access to the system. Additionally, attackers could potentially read system logs, application source code, and other files that might contain exploitable information or provide insights into the system's architecture and security posture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This classification indicates that the vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of file path parameters in the web application's input handling. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1083 for discovering system information and T1566 for initial access through web applications. The attack chain typically begins with reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable Mail-Gear installation, followed by crafting malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences to access protected files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web server's file access handling. Organizations should immediately apply available patches or updates from Symantec to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts, restricting file access permissions, and employing proper path validation techniques can significantly reduce the risk. Network segmentation and limiting direct internet access to the Mail-Gear web interface can also provide additional layers of protection. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place across the entire system infrastructure.