CVE-2004-1196 in Inmail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in inmail.pl in Insite Inmail allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the acao parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2024
The CVE-2004-1196 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the inmail.pl script of Insite Inmail software. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input within the acao parameter, which is processed without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response, creating a persistent security risk for users interacting with the vulnerable system.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS attack vector where malicious input is immediately reflected back to users without adequate output encoding or validation. The acao parameter serves as the attack surface through which threat actors can craft malicious payloads designed to execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, and other sophisticated attacks that leverage the victim's authenticated browser context.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are significant for organizations using Insite Inmail systems, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in victims' browsers, which can lead to various malicious activities including cookie theft, redirection to malicious sites, or modification of displayed content. The attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently interact with email systems.
Security practitioners should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent this vulnerability from being exploited. The recommended mitigations include sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters including the acao parameter, implementing proper HTML escaping for dynamic content, and deploying Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their email systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on establishing persistence through malicious scripts and T1071 which covers application layer protocol usage. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and underscores the need for secure coding practices that prevent injection vulnerabilities across all application components.