CVE-2003-1367 in Majordomo
Summary
by MITRE
The which_access variable for Majordomo 2.0 through 1.94.4, and possibly earlier versions, is set to "open" by default, which allows remote attackers to identify the email addresses of members of mailing lists via a "which" command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1367 represents a significant security flaw in Majordomo mailing list management software versions 2.0 through 1.94.4 and potentially earlier releases. This issue stems from the default configuration of the which_access variable that controls access permissions for the "which" command functionality within the Majordomo system. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, specifically exposing sensitive mailing list membership data to unauthorized remote attackers. The default setting of "open" for which_access creates an insecure configuration that allows any remote user to execute the which command and retrieve email addresses of list members, effectively compromising the privacy and confidentiality of mailing list participants.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the insecure default configuration paradigm where administrative security settings are not properly secured during initial installation. When the which_access variable is set to "open", it permits unrestricted access to the membership listing functionality without requiring authentication or authorization checks. This configuration allows attackers to issue the which command against any mailing list and receive responses containing the email addresses of all registered members. The flaw demonstrates poor security by design principles where the system assumes that default settings provide adequate protection, when in reality they create exploitable conditions for information disclosure attacks. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-200, Information Exposure, and more specifically under CWE-798, Use of Hard-coded Credentials, as the default open access setting represents a hard-coded insecure configuration.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1367 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as social engineering campaigns, targeted phishing attempts, and enumeration-based attacks against other systems where these email addresses might be used. Attackers can systematically gather membership lists for multiple mailing lists, creating comprehensive databases of email addresses that can be used for spam distribution, credential harvesting through spear-phishing, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Majordomo for email list management, potentially exposing sensitive communication channels and compromising the privacy of users who expect their email addresses to remain confidential within closed mailing lists. This issue particularly impacts organizations with security-sensitive communications where unauthorized disclosure of membership lists could lead to significant privacy violations and potential regulatory compliance issues.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1367 primarily involve changing the default configuration settings to restrict access to the which command functionality. Administrators should modify the which_access variable to require appropriate authentication or authorization before allowing access to membership information. The recommended approach includes setting which_access to a restrictive value such as "admin" or "moderator" rather than the default "open" setting. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security audits to verify that default configurations have been properly modified and that no insecure settings remain in place. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management practices and demonstrates the critical need for administrators to review and adjust default settings according to their specific security requirements. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, File and Directory Discovery, as attackers can use the information gathered through this vulnerability to map organizational communication channels and identify potential targets for further exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to administrative functions within the Majordomo system.