CVE-2004-1129 in CMailServer
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in (1) fdelmail.asp, (2) addressc.asp, and possibly (3) postmail.asp and (4) fmvmail.asp in CMailServer 5.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands and delete mail metadata or e-mail addresses of contacts via the indexOfMail parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2019
The CVE-2004-1129 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting CMailServer 5.2 email infrastructure components. This vulnerability specifically targets four key files including fdelmail.asp, addressc.asp, and potentially postmail.asp and fmvmail.asp within the server's web interface. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands by manipulating the indexOfMail parameter, creating a severe security risk for email server operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the server's web application layer, where user-supplied data directly influences database query construction without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the indexOfMail parameter, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads. When the vulnerable applications process this parameter, they construct SQL queries that incorporate user input without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to alter the intended query execution path. This allows for unauthorized data manipulation including deletion of mail metadata and email address entries from contact databases. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a direct consequence of inadequate input validation in database query construction. Attackers can leverage this weakness to not only delete contact information but potentially access sensitive email data, disrupt communication services, and compromise the integrity of the email server's database structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data deletion, creating potential for broader system compromise and service disruption. Email server administrators face significant risk as attackers can systematically remove contact entries, potentially disrupting legitimate user communications and creating denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of email management within CMailServer, undermining the reliability of email metadata storage and contact management features. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a critical vector for information gathering and system disruption, as deletion of contact addresses can prevent legitimate users from communicating with each other while potentially exposing the server to further exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1129 require immediate patching of CMailServer 5.2 installations and implementation of proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, ensuring that user input cannot influence database query structure. The recommended approach includes validating all input parameters against expected data types and ranges, implementing proper escaping mechanisms for special SQL characters, and conducting thorough input sanitization before database interaction. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of vulnerable web applications, and network segmentation should be implemented to reduce attack surface. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious commands, emphasizing the need for comprehensive vulnerability management and secure coding practices to prevent such attacks.