CVE-2004-0524 in SquirrelMail
Summary
by MITRE
buffer overflow in the chpasswd command in the change_passwd plugin before 4.0 as used in squirrelmail allows local users to gain root privileges via a long user name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0524 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the chpasswd command implementation in the change_passwd plugin for squirrelmail versions prior to 4.0. This issue specifically affects the handling of user names during password change operations, creating a pathway for local attackers to escalate their privileges to root level access. The vulnerability resides in the plugin's insufficient input validation mechanisms, which fail to properly sanitize or limit the length of user-provided identifiers during authentication processes.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow occurs when a local user provides an excessively long username parameter to the chpasswd command through the squirrelmail interface. The command processes this input without adequate bounds checking, allowing the malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the program's stack. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical program variables, return addresses, or function pointers, ultimately enabling the attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete system control through root access. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains unrestricted access to all system resources, including the ability to modify system files, create new user accounts, access confidential data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects systems running squirrelmail with the change_passwd plugin version 3.9 or earlier, making it particularly concerning for organizations with legacy webmail implementations. The local nature of the attack means that only users who already have access to the system can exploit this vulnerability, but the privilege escalation aspect significantly amplifies the potential damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the squirrelmail application to version 4.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and buffer size limitations. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting access to the chpasswd command, monitoring for unusual username lengths in authentication logs, and conducting regular security audits of webmail implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management in security-critical applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web application environments.