CVE-2002-1740 in MDaemon
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in WorldClient.cgi in WorldClient in Alt-N Technologies MDaemon 5.0.5.0 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long folder name (NewFolder parameter).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1740 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the WorldClient.cgi component of Alt-N Technologies MDaemon email server software version 5.0.5.0 and earlier. This issue resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the NewFolder parameter, which is processed during folder creation operations within the WorldClient interface. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking mechanisms that fail to properly constrain the length of folder names passed to the vulnerable application component. When a local user provides an excessively long folder name parameter, the application fails to validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability follows standard attack patterns that align with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability specifically affects the MDaemon email server's WorldClient component, which serves as the web-based interface for managing email accounts and folders. The buffer overflow occurs in the parameter processing logic where the NewFolder parameter is directly copied without proper length validation, making it susceptible to memory corruption attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures that govern program execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation typically requires the execution of malicious code that can manipulate system processes or inject payloads into the target environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it provides local attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and potentially gain unauthorized access to the email server infrastructure. Since the vulnerability affects a component that handles user account management and folder operations, successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify email configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the email server. The local nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have access to the system to exploit this vulnerability, but the privilege escalation potential makes it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the MDaemon server. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the email service, as exploitation could lead to system instability or complete service disruption. Organizations using affected MDaemon versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to email communications, data loss, and potential compromise of the entire email infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that MDaemon servers are commonly deployed in enterprise environments where they handle sensitive business communications and personal data, making the potential consequences of exploitation substantial.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1740 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions of MDaemon that have addressed this vulnerability through proper input validation and buffer management. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local user access to the MDaemon server, reducing the attack surface for local exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other components of the email infrastructure. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual folder creation patterns or parameter inputs that might indicate attempted exploitation. The implementation of input validation controls and bounds checking mechanisms throughout the application codebase can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions. Security patches should be applied promptly, and organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious network traffic patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in server applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data through web interfaces.