CVE-2004-2334 in EMU Webmail
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in EMU Webmail 5.2.7 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) a hex-encoded value to the variable parameter in emumail.fcgi, (2) the folder parameter in emumail.fcgi, or Javascript in the (3) username or (4) password field in the login page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2334 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting EMU Webmail version 5.2.7, which falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This vulnerability exposes the web application to malicious injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied input across multiple entry points, creating multiple attack vectors that adversaries can exploit to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through several distinct pathways within the EMU Webmail application. The first vector involves hex-encoded values passed through the variable parameter in the emumail.fcgi script, where the application fails to properly sanitize or encode input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content. The second attack vector targets the folder parameter in the same script, demonstrating that the application lacks consistent input validation mechanisms across its interface components. Additionally, the login page presents two more vulnerable parameters where JavaScript code can be injected into the username or password fields, exploiting the application's failure to implement proper input sanitization during authentication processes. These multiple entry points significantly increase the attack surface and reduce the effectiveness of any single defensive measure.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2334 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, and potentially redirect victims to malicious websites. When an attacker successfully injects malicious JavaScript through any of these vectors, they can access the victim's session cookies, effectively impersonating the legitimate user within the webmail application. This capability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive email communications, personal information, and potentially corporate data. The vulnerability also enables more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, where attackers can capture login information submitted by victims, or defacement of webmail interfaces to mislead users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address each identified attack vector through comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices. Organizations should implement strict input sanitization routines that decode and validate all hex-encoded parameters before processing, while also ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly encoded before being rendered in web page contexts. The application should employ context-specific output encoding techniques to prevent script execution regardless of input type, following the principle of defense in depth. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies and using secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and input validation libraries can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as the presence of one XSS vulnerability often indicates potential issues in related functionality. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to established security frameworks and standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles.