CVE-2002-0418 in Sake Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the com.endymion.sake.servlet.mail.MailServlet servlet for Endymion SakeMail 1.0.36 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) and a null character in the param_name parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2025
The CVE-2002-0418 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Endymion SakeMail 1.0.36 and earlier versions, specifically affecting the com.endymion.sake.servlet.mail.MailServlet component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing file operations. The flaw manifests when attackers exploit the param_name parameter by injecting sequences containing dot-dot components followed by null characters, enabling unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and normalize input data, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and bypass intended access controls. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses directory traversal or path traversal attacks, where malicious users attempt to access files and directories outside their intended scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially user information stored on the server. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to retrieve database connection strings, application configuration files, user credentials, and other sensitive data that may be stored in accessible locations. The presence of null characters in the attack payload suggests the vulnerability may also be exploitable through specific encoding or injection techniques that bypass traditional input sanitization measures. This weakness creates a significant risk for organizations using Endymion SakeMail, as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to server resources without requiring authentication or prior access to the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the mail server may have access to sensitive data or where the application runs with elevated privileges.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions of Endymion SakeMail. Input validation and sanitization mechanisms must be strengthened to properly filter out directory traversal sequences and null characters from all user-supplied parameters. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the MailServlet and related components run with minimal necessary permissions and access rights. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit access to the vulnerable servlet and reduce the attack surface. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, as attackers can leverage it to obtain sensitive information that may lead to further system compromise. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential directory traversal vulnerabilities in their web applications and ensure proper input validation is implemented across all components handling user-supplied data.