CVE-2002-1495 in JAWmail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in JAWmail 1.0-rc1 allows remote attackers to insert arbitrary script or HTML via (1) attached file names in the Read Mail feature, (2) text/html mails that are displayed in a pop-up window, and (3) certain malicious attributes within otherwise safe tags, such as onMouseOver.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The CVE-2002-1495 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in JAWmail 1.0-rc1 email client software that enables remote attackers to execute malicious code through various input vectors. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web output, specifically targeting the web application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in browser contexts. The vulnerability exists within the email client's handling of user-generated content, particularly in the Read Mail feature where it fails to adequately validate and escape special characters in file attachments, email content, and HTML attributes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct attack vectors that all stem from the same underlying flaw in input sanitization. First, attackers can manipulate file names in email attachments to include malicious script code that executes when users view the attachment details within the Read Mail feature. Second, the vulnerability allows malicious HTML content to be embedded in text/html emails that are displayed in pop-up windows, where the application fails to properly escape or filter HTML tags and attributes. Third, the vulnerability permits attackers to inject malicious attributes within otherwise safe HTML tags, such as onMouseOver, which triggers script execution when users interact with the email content. These vectors collectively demonstrate a failure in the application's security architecture to implement proper output encoding and input validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable sophisticated attack chains that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When users open emails containing malicious content, the XSS payload can execute in the context of their browser session, potentially allowing attackers to access cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive data. The vulnerability particularly affects users who are logged into their email accounts, as the malicious scripts can leverage existing authentication contexts to perform actions on behalf of the user. Additionally, the pop-up window handling creates an additional attack surface where users may be less cautious about the content they interact with, making this vector particularly dangerous in social engineering scenarios.
Organizations and individuals using JAWmail 1.0-rc1 should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the software, implementing strict input validation at the application level, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes the use of malicious content to gain initial access, and T1059 which covers the execution of malicious code through various scripting languages. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies to prevent script execution in email contexts, and users should be trained to avoid interacting with suspicious email content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, reinforcing the principles outlined in OWASP Top 10 A03:2021 which specifically addresses injection vulnerabilities including XSS attacks. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other email clients and web applications that may be susceptible to the same class of attack.