CVE-2004-2292 in MDaemon
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Alt-N MDaemon 7.0.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a long STATUS command to the IMAP server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2292 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Alt-N MDaemon version 7.0.1 that specifically affects the IMAP server component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation when processing the STATUS command, which is a standard IMAP operation used to retrieve mailbox status information. The flaw exists in the server's handling of user-supplied data without proper bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt service availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the IMAP server module where the STATUS command parameter is processed. When an attacker sends a specially crafted command containing an excessively long string of data, the server fails to validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the application does not perform adequate bounds checking or input sanitization before storing the STATUS command data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient space allocation leads to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to email server availability and reliability. The primary impact is a denial of service condition that causes the MDaemon IMAP server to crash and restart, effectively disrupting email services for legitimate users. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered from any network location. The service disruption affects not only the IMAP functionality but may also impact other services running on the same MDaemon instance, potentially causing broader system instability.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service attacks. Remote exploitation occurs through standard IMAP protocol connections, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the affected server. The vulnerability demonstrates a weakness in the application's defensive programming practices and highlights the importance of input validation in network services. Organizations running affected MDaemon versions face potential service interruptions and may experience reputational damage due to extended downtime.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2292 should prioritize immediate patching of the MDaemon software to the latest available version that addresses the buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement firewall rules to restrict access to the IMAP service where possible, limiting exposure to unauthorized users. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns in IMAP traffic that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in server applications. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to quickly address any exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking and memory allocation controls to prevent buffer overflows in the IMAP server's command processing logic.