CVE-2004-1015 in Cyrus IMAP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in proxyd for Cyrus IMAP Server 2.2.9 and earlier, with the imapmagicplus option enabled, may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, a different vulnerability than CVE-2004-1011.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1015 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the Cyrus IMAP Server proxyd daemon, specifically when the imapmagicplus option is enabled. This flaw exists in versions 2.2.9 and earlier of the Cyrus IMAP Server, which was widely deployed in enterprise email environments and organizational mail systems. The proxyd component serves as a proxy for IMAP connections, facilitating communication between clients and backend mail servers while providing various authentication and access control features. When the imapmagicplus option is activated, the server enables enhanced proxy functionality that processes client requests through additional parsing and routing mechanisms, creating an expanded attack surface for potential exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the proxyd daemon's handling of IMAP protocol commands. When a remote attacker sends specially crafted IMAP commands that trigger the imapmagicplus functionality, the server fails to properly bounds-check user-supplied data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the proxyd daemon processes certain IMAP commands that are processed through the magicplus extension, which typically involves complex parsing of mailbox names, folder paths, or other user-controllable parameters that are not adequately sanitized before buffer operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise entire email infrastructure systems. Organizations relying on Cyrus IMAP Server for their email services face significant risk, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain full control over the mail server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, message interception, or use of the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the core authentication and proxy functionality of the system, meaning that an attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could access any mailboxes that the compromised proxyd process has permission to access, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate or personal email communications. This represents a particularly dangerous condition given that many organizations use IMAP servers as central components of their email infrastructure, making them attractive targets for persistent attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1015 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as this vulnerability was addressed through version updates to Cyrus IMAP Server 2.2.10 and later. Organizations should disable the imapmagicplus option when it is not required, as this effectively eliminates the attack vector without requiring immediate patch deployment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through network services. Network administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious IMAP traffic patterns and consider implementing IDS/IPS rules specifically targeting the vulnerable command sequences that trigger this buffer overflow. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their email infrastructure to identify all systems running affected versions of Cyrus IMAP Server and ensure proper access controls are implemented to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.