CVE-2004-1672 in Web Mail
Summary
by MITRE
attachment.html in Merak Mail Server 7.4.5 with Icewarp Web Mail 5.2.7 and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to view other users attachments by specifying the username and message ID in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1672 represents a critical access control flaw within the Merak Mail Server 7.4.5 system when integrated with Icewarp Web Mail 5.2.7. This issue stems from insufficient authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern access to email attachments within the web mail interface. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass normal access restrictions by directly manipulating HTTP requests to retrieve attachments belonging to other users. The vulnerability specifically affects the attachment.html component which handles attachment retrieval operations within the web mail application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing malicious HTTP requests that include the target username and specific message ID parameters, effectively circumventing the normal user session and permission validation processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper access control as defined by CWE-285, where the system fails to properly enforce authorization checks for sensitive resources. The flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the predictable structure of the web mail interface's URL parameters. When an attacker crafts a request containing valid username and message ID combinations, the system processes this request without adequate verification of the requesting user's permissions. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where users can access resources beyond their authorized scope. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require any special privileges or credentials to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can observe or guess valid user account information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating potential risks for data confidentiality and user privacy within the affected mail server environment. Attackers can systematically enumerate user accounts and message IDs to gather sensitive attachments from multiple users, potentially accessing confidential business documents, personal correspondence, or other sensitive materials. This type of vulnerability can enable broader reconnaissance activities where attackers use the access to gather intelligence about users, organizational structure, and potentially identify additional targets for further exploitation. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where mail servers contain sensitive corporate data, financial records, or personal identifiable information that could be valuable for identity theft, corporate espionage, or social engineering attacks.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically categorizing it under privilege escalation and credential access techniques. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns involving unauthorized access to sensitive data and can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within a compromised environment. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including access control hardening, input validation, and authentication strengthening measures. The recommended approach involves implementing proper session management, enforcing strict authorization checks for all attachment requests, and ensuring that user permissions are validated against the current session context rather than relying on parameter values alone. Additionally, network-level controls such as web application firewalls and access restrictions should be deployed to limit exposure to this type of attack vector while more comprehensive security measures are implemented.