CVE-2002-1575 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
cgiemail allows remote attackers to use cgiemail as a spam proxy via CRLF injection of encoded newline (%0a) characters in parameters such as "required-subject," which can be used to modify the CC, BCC, and other header fields in the generated email message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1575 represents a critical security flaw in the cgiemail web application that enables remote attackers to exploit Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) patterns through improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of user-supplied parameters within email header fields, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate email transmission behavior. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize and validate input data before incorporating it into email headers, allowing attackers to inject carriage return line feed sequences using encoded newline characters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input containing %0a sequences in parameters such as the "required-subject" field. These encoded characters are interpreted as actual newline characters within the email header construction process, enabling attackers to inject additional header fields including CC, BCC, and other email metadata. This CRLF injection technique allows for the modification of email routing and delivery behavior, effectively transforming the cgiemail application into an unauthorized spam proxy. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization that aligns with CWE-116, which specifically addresses improper encoding of control characters in data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple spamming capabilities, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise email infrastructure and potentially lead to broader network infiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to send spam emails through the compromised server, potentially using it as a relay for phishing campaigns, malware distribution, or to obscure their true identity. The vulnerability also creates a persistent threat vector since the cgiemail application may be deployed on servers that are not properly monitored for unusual email traffic patterns, making detection more challenging. This attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1192, which covers the use of compromised systems for spam distribution.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation at multiple layers, proper sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, and the implementation of strict header field validation. The solution requires comprehensive filtering of control characters and encoded sequences from all input parameters before processing, particularly those used in email header construction. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual email transmission patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms that can identify and block CRLF injection attempts. The remediation process must include thorough code review to ensure all parameter handling routines properly sanitize input data, with particular attention to email header construction functions that may be vulnerable to similar injection attacks.