CVE-2004-1671 in Web Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Merak Mail Server 7.4.5 with Icewarp Web Mail 5.2.7 and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information via a direct request to (1) accountsettings_add.html or (2) topmenu.html.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1671 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Merak Mail Server 7.4.5 platform when integrated with Icewarp Web Mail 5.2.7. This security weakness stems from inadequate access controls and improper authentication mechanisms that allow unauthorized remote actors to directly access sensitive administrative interfaces. The vulnerability specifically affects two key web pages: accountsettings_add.html and topmenu.html, which are part of the web-based management interface. These pages contain configuration data and administrative functions that should only be accessible to authenticated users with appropriate privileges. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and authorization checks that violates fundamental security principles. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting direct HTTP requests to these specific endpoints without proper authentication, thereby gaining access to information that could reveal system configuration details, user account information, or administrative controls. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper information exposure, and represents a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive data within the mail server environment. The issue persists across multiple versions of the software stack, indicating a systemic flaw in the authentication and access control implementation that affects a broad user base.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the absence of proper session management and authorization validation within the web application layer. When a remote attacker sends a direct request to accountsettings_add.html or topmenu.html, the system fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses legitimate administrative credentials or authorization levels. This weakness creates an information disclosure attack vector where sensitive data is exposed without proper access controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to bypass normal authentication flows and access administrative interfaces directly, potentially revealing system architecture details, user enumeration information, or configuration parameters that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The flaw represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where the system does not properly enforce access restrictions based on user roles or authentication status. This vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1213, which involves data from information repositories, specifically targeting the exposure of sensitive configuration data through web application flaws.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1671 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks against the affected mail server infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gather intelligence about the system's configuration, user base, and administrative functions, which could then be used to plan targeted attacks against other system components. The exposure of account settings and menu structures could provide insights into the system's internal architecture, potentially revealing version information, installed modules, or configuration parameters that could be exploited in conjunction with other vulnerabilities. This information disclosure creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks, where attackers might use the gathered information to identify additional weaknesses or to craft more effective attacks against the mail server environment. Organizations using affected versions of Merak Mail Server and Icewarp Web Mail face significant risks including potential data breaches, unauthorized access to user accounts, and exposure of sensitive system information that could compromise the overall security posture of their email infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1671 should focus on implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms within the web application layer. System administrators should immediately apply available patches or updates from the software vendors to address the identified authorization flaws. Network-level protections including firewall rules and web application firewalls should be configured to restrict access to administrative interfaces and implement proper authentication requirements for all requests to sensitive endpoints. The implementation of robust session management and authentication validation should be enforced across all web application interfaces to ensure that only properly authenticated users can access administrative functions. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within their email infrastructure and implement proper input validation and access control measures. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be deployed to detect unauthorized access attempts to administrative interfaces, and access controls should be reviewed and enforced according to security best practices. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security configurations to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system information.