CVE-2004-2458 in Open Webmail
Summary
by MITRE
Open WebMail 2.30 and earlier, when use_syshomedir is disabled or create_syshomedir is enabled, creates new directories before authenticating, which allows remote attackers to create arbitrary directories.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2458 affects Open WebMail versions 2.30 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the email web application's directory creation mechanism. This issue stems from a design flaw in the authentication and directory management processes that occurs when specific configuration parameters are set to particular values. The vulnerability manifests when the system operates with use_syshomedir disabled or create_syshomedir enabled, creating a scenario where directory creation precedes user authentication, thereby exposing the system to unauthorized directory manipulation.
The technical flaw resides in the application's improper handling of directory creation operations within the authentication workflow. Specifically, the system creates new directories in the filesystem before validating user credentials, which creates a window of opportunity for remote attackers to exploit the system. This misconfiguration allows malicious actors to specify arbitrary directory paths during the authentication process, potentially leading to directory traversal attacks or unauthorized file system modifications. The vulnerability is classified as a path traversal or directory creation flaw that violates fundamental security principles of proper authentication before privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple directory creation, as it enables attackers to potentially establish persistent access points within the file system. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to create directories in arbitrary locations, which may lead to privilege escalation, denial of service conditions, or even system compromise depending on the underlying file system permissions and the application's execution context. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of the email system, as unauthorized directory creation can disrupt normal operations and potentially provide attackers with footholds for further exploitation. The flaw also represents a violation of the principle of least privilege, as it allows unauthenticated users to perform actions that should require proper authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of configuration changes to disable the problematic parameter combinations that trigger the flaw. System administrators should ensure that use_syshomedir is properly configured and that create_syshomedir is disabled when not explicitly required. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of Open WebMail that addresses this specific directory creation timing issue. Security measures should include implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all directory creation operations, enforcing strict authentication before any file system modifications occur, and monitoring for unauthorized directory creation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. This issue aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal, and could be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms through file system manipulation.