CVE-2003-1382 in ISMail
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ISMail 1.4.3 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long domain names in (1) MAIL FROM or (2) RCPT TO fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1382 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting ISMail 1.4.3 and earlier versions, specifically within the email server software's handling of domain name inputs. This issue resides in the fundamental processing of email commands where the software fails to properly validate the length of domain names entered in the MAIL FROM or RCPT TO fields of email transactions. The buffer overflow occurs when the system attempts to store excessively long domain names in fixed-length memory buffers without adequate bounds checking, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the standard SMTP protocol communication patterns where email servers process commands from clients to establish email routing. When an attacker sends an email message with an excessively long domain name in either the MAIL FROM or RCPT TO fields, the ISMail server processes this input without proper length validation. The software's internal buffer management fails to account for the maximum allowable domain name length, causing memory corruption when the input exceeds the allocated buffer space. This memory corruption can overwrite critical program variables, return addresses, or function pointers, enabling attackers to manipulate program execution flow and potentially gain unauthorized code execution privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1382 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to represent a full remote code execution vulnerability that could compromise entire email server infrastructures. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to email servers, potentially leading to data breaches, email spoofing, spam relay capabilities, or complete server compromise. The vulnerability affects the core email processing functionality of ISMail, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this software for email services. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system, making it an attractive target for automated attacks.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, representing the exploitation of remote services through buffer overflow attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to ISMail versions beyond 1.4.3, implementing input validation measures at network boundaries, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious email traffic patterns. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential attack surface, while regular security audits should verify proper implementation of input validation controls. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper bounds checking in network service applications and demonstrates how seemingly simple input handling flaws can result in critical security breaches.