CVE-2004-0584 in IMP
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in Horde IMP 3.2.3 and earlier, before a "security fix," does not properly validate input, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary script as other users via script or HTML in an e-mail message, possibly triggering a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0584 affects Horde IMP 3.2.3 and earlier versions, representing a critical security flaw in email client software that enables malicious actors to exploit input validation weaknesses. This vulnerability exists within the email message handling system where insufficient sanitization of user-provided content allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can be executed by other users who view the compromised emails. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input data from email messages, creating an environment where untrusted content can be processed without adequate security checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of malicious scripts or HTML code within email messages that are then rendered by the affected email client. When a victim opens an email containing such malicious content, the script executes in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions on behalf of the user. This cross-site scripting vulnerability operates by leveraging the trust relationship between the email client and the user's browser, where the client fails to properly escape or filter potentially dangerous content. The vulnerability specifically targets the email rendering engine and input processing mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access email through web-based interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation. An attacker could craft emails containing malicious scripts that steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute commands on the victim's system if the email client has additional vulnerabilities. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond opening an email message, making it an effective method for mass distribution attacks. This vulnerability essentially transforms any user with access to the affected email system into a potential vector for further attacks, creating a chain reaction that could compromise entire user bases within organizations.
Organizations and system administrators should immediately implement security patches and updates to address this vulnerability, as the affected versions of Horde IMP were released in 2004 and have since been superseded by more secure versions. The recommended mitigation strategies include updating to the latest stable versions of Horde IMP, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, and configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script content. Security professionals should also consider implementing email content filtering solutions that can identify and quarantine potentially malicious HTML or script content before it reaches end users. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws and demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications. The attack pattern follows typical XSS exploitation techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and persistence categories, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both application-level and network-level protections.