CVE-2002-1741 in WorldClient
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in WorldClient.cgi in WorldClient for Alt-N Technologies MDaemon 5.0.5.0 and earlier allows local users to delete arbitrary files via a ".." (dot dot) in the Attachments parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1741 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the WorldClient.cgi component of Alt-N Technologies MDaemon email server software version 5.0.5.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of file attachments within the web-based email client interface, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on MDaemon for their email infrastructure. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data containing directory traversal sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the Attachments parameter processing logic of WorldClient.cgi where the application does not adequately sanitize or validate user input before performing file operations. When a local user submits a malicious payload containing ".." sequences in the Attachments parameter, the application processes these directory traversal components without proper restrictions, allowing unauthorized file deletion operations. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the principle of insufficient input validation, which is classified under CWE-22 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The vulnerability specifically enables path traversal attacks that can bypass normal file access controls and potentially lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1741 extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities to encompass broader system compromise potential. Local attackers with access to the MDaemon web interface can exploit this vulnerability to remove critical system files, configuration data, or user attachments, potentially leading to service disruption, data loss, or further escalation attacks. The vulnerability affects organizations using MDaemon versions up to and including 5.0.5.0, representing a substantial portion of the email server market during that era. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as local access can be leveraged to gain broader system control. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1566.001 for credential harvesting and T1486 for data destruction, as successful exploitation can result in unauthorized data manipulation and system integrity compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Organizations should immediately upgrade to MDaemon versions 5.0.5.1 or later, where this vulnerability has been patched through proper input validation implementation. System administrators should implement additional security controls including restrictive file permissions, input sanitization at multiple layers, and network segmentation to limit local access to the affected application. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-22 emphasizes the importance of implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, which should include canonicalize path operations, validate file paths against allowed directories, and implement proper access controls. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file deletion patterns and unauthorized access attempts to email server components. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their email infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and ensure proper security configuration management. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing defensive measures such as application whitelisting, network access controls, and behavioral monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this type of directory traversal vulnerability.