CVE-2000-0977 in Mail File
Summary
by MITRE
mailfile.cgi CGI program in MailFile 1.10 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by specifying the target file name in the "filename" parameter in a POST request, which is then sent by email to the address specified in the "email" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0977 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the mailfile.cgi CGI program component of MailFile version 1.10. This vulnerability exists within the web application's file handling mechanism where user input is not properly validated or sanitized before being processed. The flaw specifically manifests in the filename parameter of POST requests, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the file access behavior of the application. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-22 which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The security implications are severe as this vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially access sensitive system files that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the filename parameter within HTTP POST requests directed at the mailfile.cgi script. When an attacker submits a crafted POST request containing a specially formatted filename parameter, the application processes this input without adequate validation, leading to unauthorized file system access. The attacker can specify arbitrary file paths that may include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it combines both arbitrary file reading capabilities and email delivery functionality, allowing attackers to not only access sensitive files but also potentially exfiltrate data through the email notification mechanism. This dual functionality creates additional attack vectors and increases the overall impact of the vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0977 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can potentially access system configuration files, password files, application source code, and other sensitive data that may contain credentials, database connection strings, or other confidential information. The email delivery component adds another layer of risk as attackers can use this functionality to send the contents of accessed files to their own email addresses, facilitating data exfiltration. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which describes valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting through social engineering or exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning for web applications that handle sensitive data or operate in regulated environments where information disclosure could result in compliance violations and significant financial or reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0977 must address both the immediate vulnerability and implement comprehensive security controls to prevent similar issues. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file system operations. This includes implementing strict path validation that ensures file access occurs only within designated directories and rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences. The application should also employ proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access the mailfile.cgi functionality. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms to detect and block malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and input validation principles as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry security standards, emphasizing that all user input should be treated as potentially malicious and validated accordingly. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar issues in their web applications.