CVE-2002-1899 in Web Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IceWarp Web Mail 3.3.3 and 3.4.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the "Full Name" (addressname) parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1899 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the IceWarp Web Mail email client version 3.3.3 and 3.4.5. This type of security weakness falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web output, making it a fundamental web application security concern. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the "Full Name" parameter, also referred to as addressname, which is commonly used in email address book entries and user profile management within web mail systems. When an attacker crafts a malicious input string containing script code within this parameter and submits it to the vulnerable application, the system processes the input without adequate validation or encoding. This allows the malicious script to be stored and subsequently executed whenever other users view the affected user's profile information or address book entries. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, enabling the execution of scripts that can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and unauthorized access to email accounts. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can obtain sensitive information including email contents, user credentials, and potentially access to other systems if users have shared login credentials. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the email communication system, as malicious actors can manipulate user data, inject false information, or disrupt normal email operations. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where email systems serve as primary communication channels and contain sensitive business information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the IceWarp Web Mail application. The solution requires proper sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those used in dynamic web content generation, through the application of context-appropriate encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for web page output. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing procedures including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar input validation weaknesses in web applications. Additionally, the deployment of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. The remediation process should also involve upgrading to patched versions of the IceWarp Web Mail software, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. According to ATT&CK framework category T1566, this vulnerability represents a technique for initial access through malicious web content, while the execution phase falls under T1059 where adversaries use command and scripting interpreters to run malicious code. The vulnerability aligns with the broader category of web application security weaknesses that require ongoing vigilance and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation.