CVE-2003-1522 in VPOP3 Web Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PSCS VPOP3 Web Mail server 2.0e and 2.0f allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the redirect parameter to the admin/index.html page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1522 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PSCS VPOP3 Web Mail server version 2.0e and 2.0f. This security weakness resides in the administrative interface of the mail server software, specifically in the handling of user input through the redirect parameter within the admin/index.html page. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a code injection attack that occurs when an application includes untrusted data in a new web page without proper validation or escaping, allowing attackers to execute scripts in the victim's browser context. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web script or HTML code, potentially compromising the security of users interacting with the vulnerable administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of input validation and sanitization in the redirect parameter processing. When users navigate to the admin/index.html page and provide a redirect parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into the web page response. This omission creates an environment where malicious actors can craft specially formatted URLs containing script code that executes in the browser of any user who accesses the vulnerable page. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based interactions, requiring no local system access or privileged accounts, making it particularly dangerous for administrative interfaces that typically require elevated privileges and handle sensitive configuration data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform several malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker could redirect authenticated users to malicious sites, steal session cookies to hijack administrative sessions, or inject content that modifies the functionality of the web interface. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the administrative environment, potentially allowing unauthorized access to email server configurations, user data, and system settings. Given that this is an administrative interface, successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the email server, including the ability to modify email routing, create new user accounts, or access sensitive email content, making this a critical security concern for organizations relying on the affected VPOP3 server versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1522 should focus on immediate patching of the affected software versions, as the vulnerability has been addressed through software updates provided by the vendor. Organizations should implement input validation measures at the application level, specifically ensuring that all parameters including the redirect parameter are properly sanitized before being processed or returned in web responses. The implementation of proper output encoding and the use of secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future development efforts. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring and filtering malicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameter. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious redirect parameter usage and anomalous access patterns to administrative interfaces, as these activities may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through injection attacks.