CVE-2002-1709 in Basilix
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in BasiliX Webmail 1.10 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or possibly modify data via the id variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2019
The CVE-2002-1709 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in BasiliX Webmail version 1.10, a widely used open source webmail application that was prevalent in the early 2000s. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input through the id variable parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database queries, potentially compromising the entire backend database infrastructure. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it affects a webmail application that typically handles sensitive user communications, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking to access private email communications, user credentials, or other confidential data. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of sql injection, which is classified as a critical weakness in application security that has been consistently ranked among the top ten web application security risks by organizations like owasp and nist.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing sql payload within the id variable parameter that gets directly incorporated into sql queries executed by the webmail application. This lack of proper input validation and parameterized query construction creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying database structure, potentially extracting user accounts, email contents, or even modifying existing records. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential data modification capabilities, which could allow attackers to alter user configurations, delete email messages, or inject malicious content into the system. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to anyone who can access the vulnerable webmail interface, and the attack can be executed through standard web browser interactions without requiring specialized tools or deep technical knowledge.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1709 in affected BasiliX Webmail installations creates significant security implications for organizations relying on this platform for email services. The vulnerability exposes sensitive email communications, user account information, and potentially authentication credentials stored within the database, which could lead to unauthorized access to user accounts and subsequent compromise of the entire email ecosystem. Organizations using this vulnerable software face potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments governed by data protection regulations such as gdpr or hipaa, where unauthorized data access constitutes serious security incidents. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of email communications, as attackers could modify or delete messages, potentially disrupting business operations and creating audit trail issues. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many organizations in the early 2000s were still using legacy webmail solutions, making such vulnerabilities particularly dangerous as they often remained unpatched for extended periods due to lack of awareness or maintenance processes.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of the BasiliX Webmail application to version 1.11 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the sql injection flaw. Organizations should also implement proper input validation mechanisms, including the use of parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, following the secure coding practices recommended by the owasp top ten project and the cwe guidelines. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable webmail applications to untrusted networks, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the attack patterns associated with sql injection vulnerabilities often follow predictable patterns that can be identified through network traffic analysis and database audit logs. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against sql injection attacks targeting vulnerable web applications.