CVE-2004-1674 in Web Mail
Summary
by MITRE
viewaction.html in Merak Mail Server 7.4.5 with Icewarp Web Mail 5.2.7 and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to (1) delete arbitrary files via the originalfolder parameter or (2) move arbitrary files via the messageid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1674 resides within the Merak Mail Server 7.4.5 system when integrated with Icewarp Web Mail 5.2.7, presenting a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate file operations through specific parameters in the viewaction.html component. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate access controls within the web mail interface, creating pathways for unauthorized file manipulation across the system's storage hierarchy.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits two distinct attack vectors through parameter manipulation in the web interface. The first vector targets the originalfolder parameter which allows attackers to delete arbitrary files by specifying malicious folder paths, while the second vector utilizes the messageid parameter to move files between directories without proper authorization checks. Both attack paths bypass normal file system access controls and authentication mechanisms, leveraging the web mail server's trust in user-supplied parameters to execute unauthorized operations.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks, and CWE-79, which covers cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that can be exploited to manipulate application behavior. The operational impact extends beyond simple file manipulation to potentially compromise the entire mail server infrastructure, as attackers could delete critical system files, move important email data to unauthorized locations, or even execute destructive operations that could render the mail service unavailable. The attack requires no special privileges beyond basic web access and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this mail server configuration.
The attack surface is significant given that Merak Mail Server was widely deployed in enterprise environments, and the vulnerability affects not just the specific version mentioned but potentially other versions of the Icewarp Web Mail component. Organizations using this configuration face risks of data loss, service disruption, and potential compromise of email communications that could impact business continuity. The vulnerability's exploitation demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the web application's input sanitization and privilege enforcement mechanisms, creating opportunities for attackers to escalate their access and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected software versions, implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters, and establishing proper access controls that verify user privileges for file operations. Network segmentation and firewall rules should restrict direct access to the web mail interface from untrusted networks, while regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized file manipulation capabilities exist within the system. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual file access patterns and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper input validation as fundamental defense mechanisms against such path traversal attacks.