CVE-2001-1174 in ELM
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Elm 2.5.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long Message-ID header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1174 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Elm email client version 2.5.5 and earlier releases. This issue resides in the handling of Message-ID headers during email processing, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of the software. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the email parsing routines that process incoming message headers. When a specially crafted email containing an excessively long Message-ID header is processed by the vulnerable Elm client, the application fails to properly validate the header length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access.
This buffer overflow vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the program execution flow through stack smashing techniques, potentially allowing them to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects email client software that was widely deployed in enterprise and organizational environments during the early 2000s, making it a significant vector for remote code execution attacks. The security implications extend beyond simple code execution as this vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or conduct further reconnaissance activities within compromised networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1174 is substantial, particularly given the widespread adoption of Elm as an email client in Unix-based systems and early internet environments. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring authentication, making it a highly attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. Organizations using vulnerable Elm versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive email communications. The attack surface is broad since email clients are frequently used across different network segments and often process emails from untrusted sources, making the exploitation of this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where email systems serve as primary communication channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1174 primarily involve immediate software updates and patches to versions of Elm that address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should prioritize upgrading to Elm versions 2.5.6 or later, which contain proper bounds checking and input validation for Message-ID headers. Additionally, network-level defenses such as email filtering systems can be configured to reject emails with suspiciously long headers or implement rate limiting to prevent exploitation attempts. The implementation of secure coding practices including input validation, bounds checking, and memory management controls should be enforced in all email processing applications. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in other email client software and network infrastructure components.