CVE-2003-1202 in Omail
Summary
by MITRE
The checklogin function in omail.pl for omail webmail 0.98.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a (1) password, (2) domainname, or (3) username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1202 represents a critical command injection flaw in the omail webmail application version 0.98.4 and earlier. This security weakness resides within the checklogin function of the omail.pl script, which serves as the primary authentication mechanism for the webmail system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-provided credentials, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted shell metacharacters. The vulnerability specifically affects three critical input fields including password, domainname, and username parameters that are processed without proper escaping or filtering of special shell characters.
This command injection vulnerability operates at the core of the application's authentication flow, where user credentials are directly incorporated into system commands without appropriate sanitization measures. When attackers provide malicious input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks within any of the three vulnerable fields, the system processes these inputs through the checklogin function and subsequently executes them as shell commands. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, specifically targeting command injection flaws that allow arbitrary code execution. This weakness enables attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to the underlying system, potentially compromising the entire webmail infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1202 extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as it provides attackers with complete system control through the execution of arbitrary commands. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data access, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, modify system configurations, or launch further attacks against other systems. The vulnerability's presence in the authentication layer makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers without prior system access, potentially allowing for privilege escalation and persistent access. This weakness directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage the compromised authentication system to maintain access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within the omail.pl script. The primary solution involves implementing proper escaping of shell metacharacters in all user input fields before processing them through system commands. Organizations should update to the latest version of omail webmail where this vulnerability has been patched, as the vendor has addressed the issue in subsequent releases. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, conducting regular security assessments of webmail systems, and establishing proper input validation routines that align with security best practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the potential catastrophic consequences of inadequate security controls in authentication systems, reinforcing principles from the OWASP Top Ten security framework that emphasize the need for robust input validation to prevent injection attacks.