CVE-2002-1958 in kmMail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in kmMail 1.0, 1.0a, and 1.0b allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) javascript in onmouseover or other attributes in "safe" HTML tags such as the "b" tag, or (2) the Subject field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2025
The CVE-2002-1958 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in kmMail versions 1.0, 1.0a, and 1.0b that demonstrates the persistent nature of web application security weaknesses in email client software. This vulnerability operates by exploiting the insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the kmMail application's handling of user-supplied data. The flaw specifically targets the application's treatment of HTML content and subject fields, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary vectors that leverage the application's permissive HTML processing capabilities. The first attack vector involves injecting javascript code within onmouseover or similar event attributes of seemingly benign HTML tags such as the bold tag b, which demonstrates how attackers can bypass simple content filtering mechanisms by utilizing legitimate HTML attributes that trigger script execution. The second vector targets the Subject field of email messages, where malicious scripts can be embedded directly within the field content. Both vectors exploit the fundamental weakness in the application's HTML sanitization process, where user input is not properly escaped or validated before being rendered in the browser context. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1958 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web interfaces, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected email environment. When users view maliciously crafted emails containing the injected scripts, their browsers execute the embedded code in the context of the legitimate kmMail application, creating a persistent threat vector. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the email client's user interface and compromises the trust relationship between users and the application. Attackers can leverage this weakness to create phishing campaigns, steal cookies and authentication tokens, or redirect users to malicious sites while maintaining the appearance of legitimate email communication. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where email clients serve as primary communication channels and where users may have elevated privileges within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the kmMail application. The most effective remediation involves implementing comprehensive HTML sanitization that removes or escapes potentially dangerous attributes and tags from user-supplied content. Organizations should deploy proper content security policies that prevent script execution within email interfaces and ensure that all user input undergoes rigorous validation before being processed or displayed. Additionally, application developers must implement proper encoding mechanisms that prevent the interpretation of malicious code as executable script. The fix should include disabling or restricting the use of event attributes such as onmouseover, onclick, and similar javascript handlers within email content rendering. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the email infrastructure, with particular attention to the principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the Web Application Security Consortium guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting attacks.