CVE-2003-1481 in Communigate Pro
Summary
by MITRE
CommuniGate Pro 3.1 through 4.0.6 sends the session ID in the referer field for an HTTP request for an image, which allows remote attackers to hijack mail sessions via an e-mail with an IMG tag that references a malicious URL that captures the referer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1481 represents a significant session management flaw in CommuniGate Pro email server software versions 3.1 through 4.0.6. This issue stems from improper handling of session identifiers within HTTP referer headers, creating a critical security weakness that enables session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application includes session identifiers in the referer field of HTTP requests for image resources, exposing sensitive session information to potential attackers who can exploit this oversight.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize or separate session identifiers from HTTP headers when processing image requests. When users access email content containing embedded image tags, the browser automatically includes the referer header in subsequent requests, which inadvertently carries the session identifier. This occurs because the application generates URLs for image resources that contain session parameters, and these parameters are then transmitted in the referer field of HTTP requests. The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and demonstrates how session management can be compromised through improper header handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to perform session hijacking attacks with minimal technical expertise. Attackers can craft malicious emails containing image tags that reference URLs on their own servers, capturing the referer headers that contain the session identifiers. Once captured, these identifiers can be used to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to email accounts. This attack vector operates entirely through email communication, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no direct system compromise or specialized tools beyond basic web server setup. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the email system, potentially leading to complete account compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive email communications.
The attack pattern follows established methodologies found in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of credential access through session hijacking. This vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the trust relationship between users and the email system, exploiting the web browser's automatic referer header inclusion. Security professionals should recognize this as a classic example of how session management flaws can be exploited in web applications, particularly in email systems where users frequently interact with external content. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session identifier handling and the need for applications to avoid including sensitive information in HTTP headers that may be transmitted across network boundaries. Organizations using affected versions of CommuniGate Pro should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing proper session identifier management, and configuring web servers to strip sensitive information from referer headers to prevent such leakage.
This vulnerability serves as a historical example of how session management flaws in web applications can create significant security risks, particularly in email systems where users interact with external content. The flaw illustrates the importance of comprehensive security testing, including security code reviews and penetration testing that examines header handling and session management practices. Modern security frameworks emphasize the need for applications to implement secure session management practices that prevent sensitive information leakage through various communication channels, making this vulnerability relevant for understanding both historical security issues and contemporary secure coding practices.