CVE-2004-0332 in eXtremail
Summary
by MITRE
Extremail 1.5.9 does not check passwords correctly when they are all digits or begin with a digit, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0332 affects Extremail version 1.5.9, a mail server software that was widely used in enterprise environments during the early 2000s. This authentication flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the fundamental integrity of user access controls within the system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users attempt to authenticate using passwords that consist entirely of numeric characters or begin with a digit, creating a predictable authentication bypass mechanism that adversaries can exploit remotely.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the flawed password validation logic implemented within Extremail's authentication module. When processing passwords that meet the specified criteria, the software fails to properly validate the credential strength or format, allowing attackers to bypass the authentication process entirely. This weakness demonstrates a classic example of improper input validation and authentication handling, which aligns with CWE-257, which addresses the storage of passwords in a reversible format, and CWE-312, concerning the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. Remote attackers who discover this weakness can gain unauthorized privileges within the mail server environment, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or the ability to relay emails through the compromised server. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the mail services, as attackers can manipulate email routing, access sensitive communications, and potentially use the compromised system as a staging point for further attacks within the network. This weakness particularly impacts organizations that rely on Extremail for their email infrastructure, as it creates an attack vector that can be exploited without requiring prior access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as implementing additional security controls to reduce the attack surface. Organizations should ensure that all instances of Extremail are updated to versions that address this authentication flaw, and where possible, implement multi-factor authentication to add additional layers of security beyond password-based authentication. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for credential access through password spraying and T1078.002 for valid accounts. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized authentication attempts, and security policies should be updated to enforce stronger password requirements that avoid numeric-only or digit-starting passwords. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.