CVE-2004-0324 in Confirm
Summary
by MITRE
Confirm 0.62 and earlier could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an e-mail header that contains shell metacharacters such as ", `, |, ;, or $.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0324 affects Confirm versions 0.62 and earlier, representing a critical remote code execution flaw in email processing functionality. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the email header parsing mechanism, allowing malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters that can be interpreted by the underlying system shell. The affected software fails to properly escape or filter special characters during email header processing, creating a pathway for arbitrary command execution on the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the insertion of shell metacharacters such as double quotes, backticks, pipes, semicolons, and dollar signs into email headers. These characters, when processed by the vulnerable Confirm software, can trigger unintended shell command execution, potentially allowing attackers to gain full system control. The vulnerability manifests when the software processes email headers containing these metacharacters without proper sanitization, enabling command injection attacks that bypass normal security controls. This flaw operates at the intersection of input validation failure and shell command execution, making it particularly dangerous in email processing environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0324 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious commands with the privileges of the Confirm service account, potentially escalating to root access depending on the system configuration. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access or prior authentication, making it particularly attractive for automated attacks. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, which address command injection flaws in software systems. The attack pattern follows the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting remote execution through email protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0324 require immediate patching of the Confirm software to version 0.63 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement email header filtering mechanisms that sanitize or reject suspicious characters before they reach the vulnerable parsing components. Network-level protections such as email gateway filtering and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious email traffic containing known exploit patterns. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing principle of least privilege for Confirm service accounts, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security audits of email processing components and input validation mechanisms should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input sanitization in security-sensitive applications and demonstrates how seemingly simple parsing operations can create significant security risks when not properly secured.