CVE-2004-0521 in SquirrelMail
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in SquirrelMail before 1.4.3 RC1 allows remote attackers to execute unauthorized SQL statements, with unknown impact, probably via abook_database.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0521 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within SquirrelMail email client software prior to version 1.4.3 RC1. This security weakness resides in the abook_database.php component of the application, which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through crafted input parameters, potentially allowing unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without adequate protection mechanisms. This type of injection attack can occur when application developers fail to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the database server. Remote exploitation means that an attacker does not need physical access to the system or network to leverage this flaw. The unknown impact mentioned in the original description suggests that the full scope of potential damage could range from data manipulation and unauthorized access to complete database compromise. Attackers could potentially extract sensitive information such as user credentials, email contents, or other stored data from the database. The vulnerability's location in the address book functionality indicates that it could affect users who rely on the database-backed address book features of SquirrelMail, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that depend on this component for email management.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target applications accessible from external networks. This particular flaw demonstrates how web applications can be exploited through input validation failures, specifically in database interaction components. The lack of input sanitization in abook_database.php represents a fundamental security oversight that allows attackers to bypass normal application logic and directly manipulate database operations. Organizations using SquirrelMail versions prior to 1.4.3 RC1 face significant risk as this vulnerability could be exploited by automated scanning tools or determined attackers. The vulnerability's age and the fact that it affects a core component of email functionality make it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where email systems serve as critical communication infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0521 primarily involve immediate patching of SquirrelMail to version 1.4.3 RC1 or later, which would include proper input validation and sanitization measures. Additionally, organizations should implement proper database access controls, including limiting database permissions for web application accounts and employing parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. Regular security assessments and code reviews should focus on input validation routines, particularly in database interaction components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security practices such as input validation, output encoding, and principle of least privilege for database accounts. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for addressing SQL injection vulnerabilities in their email infrastructure.