CVE-2002-0258 in Web Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Merak Mail IceWarp Web Mail uses a static identifier as a user session ID that does not change across sessions, which could allow remote attackers with access to the ID to gain privileges as that user, e.g. by extracting the ID from the user s answer or forward URLs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0258 represents a critical session management flaw in the Merak Mail IceWarp Web Mail system that directly impacts authentication security and user privilege escalation capabilities. This weakness stems from the implementation of a static session identifier that remains constant across multiple user sessions, fundamentally undermining the security model designed to protect user accounts from unauthorized access. The flaw exists within the web-based email interface where session tokens are generated using predictable static values rather than dynamic, randomly generated identifiers that would typically be expected in secure web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the static nature of session identifiers through various means of information disclosure. When users interact with the web mail interface, session identifiers are embedded within URL parameters, particularly in reply and forward operations where the static token becomes visible in the browser address bar or in email headers. This exposure creates a direct attack vector where malicious actors can capture these identifiers through network monitoring, phishing attempts, or by exploiting other vulnerabilities that lead to information disclosure within the application environment. The static nature of these identifiers means that once obtained, they remain valid for extended periods, providing persistent access to compromised user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass full privilege escalation capabilities within the compromised user context. An attacker who successfully extracts a static session identifier can impersonate the legitimate user and perform all actions permitted by that user's account permissions, including reading, sending, and deleting emails, modifying user settings, and potentially accessing sensitive organizational data. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on web-based email solutions where users may be accessing systems from shared or public computing environments where session tokens might be inadvertently exposed through browser history, network traffic, or other information leakage mechanisms. The vulnerability also impacts the overall security posture of email systems by creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until the session identifier is manually changed or the system is rebooted.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and represents a classic example of poor session management practices that violate fundamental security principles. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage session tokens to assume the identity of legitimate users, specifically through the use of stolen session identifiers and credential substitution methods. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including the deployment of dynamic session identifiers that change with each user session, the implementation of secure session management protocols, and the enforcement of proper URL parameter sanitization to prevent session tokens from being exposed in browser navigation history or email communications. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect and alert on suspicious session token patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices that emphasize the generation of cryptographically secure random identifiers for session management and the implementation of proper session lifecycle management including automatic session termination after periods of inactivity.