CVE-2002-0181 in IMP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in status.php3 for IMP 2.2.8 and HORDE 1.2.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script and steal cookies of other IMP/HORDE users via the script parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0181 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the IMP (Internet Messaging Program) email client and HORDE groupware suite versions 2.2.8 and 1.2.7 respectively. This vulnerability resides within the status.php3 script which fails to properly sanitize user input, specifically the script parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw manifests as a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability where attacker-controlled input is directly reflected back to users without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications. This classification indicates that the application fails to properly validate or encode user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The attack vector involves remote exploitation where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the script parameter, which when accessed by a victim user, executes in their browser context. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution to cookie theft, which represents a significant security compromise as it allows attackers to hijack user sessions and impersonate legitimate users within the IMP/HORDE environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on these web-based email and groupware solutions. The ability to steal cookies means attackers can obtain session tokens that grant full access to user mailboxes and groupware functionalities, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized communications, and privilege escalation within the application. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the system, as successful exploitation bypasses normal access controls and allows for unauthorized access to sensitive user data. This type of attack can be particularly damaging in corporate environments where email systems serve as primary communication channels and contain confidential business information.
The attack pattern associated with CVE-2002-0181 follows standard techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1566 for initial access through spearphishing with malicious attachments or links, and T1531 for credential access through web application attacks. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent such vulnerabilities. Mitigation strategies include immediate patching of affected versions, implementation of proper parameter validation, deployment of web application firewalls, and regular security assessments. Additionally, organizations should educate users about recognizing suspicious links and implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and serves as a reminder of the persistent threat landscape surrounding web-based productivity tools.