CVE-2003-0130 in Evolution
Summary
by MITRE
The handle_image function in mail-format.c for Ximian Evolution Mail User Agent 1.2.2 and earlier does not properly escape HTML characters, which allows remote attackers inject arbitrary data and HTML via a MIME Content-ID header in a MIME-encoded image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0130 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Ximian Evolution Mail User Agent version 1.2.2 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the handle_image function located within the mail-format.c source file, which processes incoming email messages containing MIME-encoded attachments. The flaw specifically manifests when the application encounters a MIME Content-ID header within a MIME-encoded image, failing to properly sanitize or escape HTML characters during processing. This improper handling creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary HTML code and data directly into the email client's rendering mechanism.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted MIME-encoded email messages that contain specially formatted Content-ID headers. When the Evolution client processes these malformed messages, the handle_image function fails to implement proper input validation or HTML escaping mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious HTML content that gets executed in the context of the user's email client. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly escape or sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper data sanitization that directly violates secure coding practices recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project and other industry security standards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it provides attackers with a potential vector for executing arbitrary code within the context of the user's email client. When a user opens a maliciously crafted email message, the injected HTML content can execute scripts that may attempt to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform other harmful actions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the email client level, meaning that successful exploitation could compromise the entire user environment without requiring additional attack vectors. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 - User Execution: Malicious File, as it relies on user interaction with a malicious email message to achieve exploitation. The security implications are significant since email remains one of the primary attack vectors for initial compromise in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Ximian Evolution where the handle_image function properly implements HTML escaping and input validation for MIME Content-ID headers. Organizations should also implement email filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious MIME structures, particularly those containing malformed Content-ID headers. Additional protective measures include enabling strict HTML rendering policies within email clients, implementing sandboxing techniques for email content processing, and conducting regular security assessments of email infrastructure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and output escaping in web and email processing applications, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security testing and adherence to secure coding practices throughout the software development lifecycle.