CVE-2000-0874 in Eudora
Summary
by MITRE
Eudora mail client includes the absolute path of the sender s host within a virtual card (VCF).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0874 pertains to the Eudora email client software which exposes sensitive system information through its virtual card file format. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where the software inadvertently reveals the absolute path of the sender's host system within the VCF files that store contact information. The issue occurs when Eudora processes incoming email messages and creates virtual card entries for senders, embedding system path information that could be exploited by malicious actors.
This technical flaw falls under the category of information exposure vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The vulnerability demonstrates how email client applications can inadvertently leak system-level information through metadata stored in contact management files. The absolute path information included in the virtual card format provides attackers with insights into the underlying file system structure of the sender's machine, potentially enabling further reconnaissance activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks by providing attackers with knowledge about the target system's directory structure. An attacker who intercepts or gains access to virtual card files could use this path information to understand the system layout, potentially identifying weak points in the file system organization or locating sensitive files. This information disclosure could be particularly damaging in environments where email clients are used for business communications and sensitive data exchanges.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of file and directory permissions. The exposure of absolute paths in virtual card files creates opportunities for attackers to map out system structures and identify potential attack vectors. The vulnerability also intersects with T1005, which deals with data from local system, as the path information could be leveraged to access or manipulate system resources. Organizations using Eudora email clients should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape assessment.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include updating to patched versions of the Eudora email client where the path information is no longer embedded in virtual card files. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and network segmentation to limit the exposure of email client data. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing email filtering solutions that can identify and strip potentially sensitive information from email attachments and metadata. Regular security assessments of email client configurations and monitoring for unauthorized access to contact management files can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and the need for applications to avoid exposing internal system information through user-facing data formats.