CVE-1999-1557 in IMail
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the login functions in IMAP server (imapd) in Ipswitch IMail 5.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via (1) a long user name or (2) a long password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1557 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the IMAP server component of Ipswitch IMail version 5.0 and earlier. This issue affects the login functions of the imapd service, which serves as the core authentication mechanism for email communication within the Ipswitch IMail suite. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices in the server's authentication routines, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted user credentials.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the imapd server processes user authentication requests without proper bounds checking on input data. When remote attackers submit excessively long user names or passwords, the server fails to validate the length of these inputs before copying them into fixed-size memory buffers. This fundamental flaw in input handling allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical program data structures and execution flow. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the login functions where user credentials are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it directly targets the authentication mechanism that controls access to email services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a severe security concern for organizations relying on Ipswitch IMail. When exploited, the buffer overflow can cause the imapd service to crash and restart, resulting in denial of service for legitimate users attempting to access their email accounts. More critically, skilled attackers could potentially manipulate the overflow to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the imapd process, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the system or escalating privileges. This vulnerability affects the core functionality of email services and could compromise entire email infrastructures if not addressed promptly.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Ipswitch IMail, applying vendor security updates, and implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the imapd service. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication attempts and establish network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes unsafe use of stack-based buffer, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to catastrophic security consequences. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including credential access and execution, making it a significant threat vector requiring immediate attention and remediation across affected systems.