CVE-2001-1284 in IMail
Summary
by MITRE
Ipswitch IMail 7.04 and earlier uses predictable session IDs for authentication, which allows remote attackers to hijack sessions of other users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1284 represents a critical weakness in the Ipswitch IMail email server software version 7.04 and earlier. This flaw resides in the session management mechanism of the application, specifically in how it generates session identifiers for user authentication processes. The predictable nature of these session IDs creates a significant security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of weak random number generation algorithms or deterministic patterns in session ID creation. When an authenticated user establishes a session with the IMail server, the system generates a session identifier that should be unique and unpredictable to prevent unauthorized access. However, in versions 7.04 and earlier, the session ID generation process fails to provide sufficient entropy, making it possible for attackers to predict future session IDs based on observed patterns or by analyzing the algorithm used for generation. This weakness directly maps to CWE-330, which addresses the use of insufficiently random values, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through session hijacking.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows remote attackers to perform session hijacking attacks without requiring valid credentials or knowledge of user passwords. An attacker who can predict or guess session IDs can seamlessly take over active user sessions, potentially gaining access to sensitive email communications, personal data, and system resources. This type of attack can result in unauthorized data access, message interception, email spoofing, and potential lateral movement within networks where the IMail server is deployed. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core authentication mechanism of the email server, undermining the fundamental security model of the application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address the predictable session ID issue. Organizations should implement proper session management practices including the use of cryptographically secure random number generators for session ID creation, proper session timeout mechanisms, and regular session invalidation upon user logout or system events. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the IMail server to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual session activity patterns that might indicate attempted session hijacking. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices for session management as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST SP 800-63 guidelines for secure authentication systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and intrusion detection systems to provide defense-in-depth against session hijacking attacks.