CVE-2004-1721 in Mail Server
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) function.php or (2) function.view.php scripts in Merak Mail Server 5.2.7 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary PHP files via a direct HTTP request to port 32000.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1721 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Merak Mail Server version 5.2.7 that exposes sensitive system files through improper input validation in web-based administrative interfaces. This vulnerability affects two specific script files function.php and function.view.php which are part of the web administration interface running on port 32000. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are directly processed without proper validation or filtering mechanisms, allowing remote attackers to manipulate file path references and gain unauthorized access to arbitrary PHP files on the server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent weaknesses in how the Merak Mail Server processes HTTP requests through its web interface. When attackers submit maliciously crafted requests to the vulnerable scripts, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters that control file inclusion operations. This allows attackers to construct malicious file paths that traverse the directory structure and access files outside of the intended web root directory. The vulnerability specifically impacts the server's ability to enforce proper access controls and file system boundaries, creating an attack surface that can be exploited to retrieve sensitive configuration files, source code, and potentially system credentials.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using Merak Mail Server 5.2.7 as it enables remote code execution capabilities through file inclusion attacks. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive information such as database connection strings, administrative credentials, and system configuration details that could be used for further exploitation. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the ability to read arbitrary PHP files provides attackers with insights into the application's internal workings and potential additional vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and represents a classic example of path traversal attacks that have been documented in numerous security frameworks and threat models.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through standard web-based attack tools or manual HTTP request construction. Attackers typically construct malicious URLs that include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate to parent directories and access sensitive files. The fact that this vulnerability exists in the administrative interface makes it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive system information that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of the ATT&CK framework's T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) tactics, as it enables both information gathering and potential command execution through file access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1721 should prioritize immediate patching of the Merak Mail Server to version 5.2.8 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to restrict access to port 32000 to trusted administrative networks only, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious directory traversal attempts. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications, and proper input validation should be implemented using allow-list approaches rather than deny-list methods. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege in web application design and the necessity of implementing proper access controls for administrative interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing file traversal vulnerabilities.