CVE-2004-1669 in Web Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MERAK Mail Server 7.4.5 with Icewarp Web Mail 5.2.7 and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) User name parameter to accountsettings.html or (2) Search string parameter to search.html.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The CVE-2004-1669 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the MERAK Mail Server 7.4.5 platform, specifically affecting the Icewarp Web Mail component version 5.2.7 and potentially other iterations. This vulnerability resides within the web-based administrative and user interface components of the email server software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions. The flaw manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit input validation weaknesses in the server's web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the web application's processing logic. When the User name parameter is submitted to the accountsettings.html endpoint or when a Search string parameter is processed through search.html, the application fails to properly validate or escape these inputs before incorporating them into dynamic web responses. This absence of input filtering creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed within the browser context of legitimate users who interact with the affected web interface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of unsafe output encoding practices that permit script injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it enables attackers to manipulate the web mail interface in ways that can compromise user accounts and potentially escalate privileges. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code within the browser context of authenticated users, potentially leading to account takeovers, data exfiltration, or the deployment of additional malicious payloads. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects administrative functions, allowing attackers to modify user accounts, settings, and potentially access sensitive email communications. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting through web shells and command and control communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple layers of defense including immediate patching of the affected software versions, implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution and conduct regular security assessments of web-based applications to identify similar input validation weaknesses. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and serves as a reminder of the persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities in legacy systems that may not receive regular security updates.