CVE-2004-2520 in Gattaca Server 2003
Summary
by MITRE
POP3 protocol in Gattaca Server 2003 1.1.10.0 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a large numeric value in the (1) LIST, (2) RETR, or (3) UIDL commands.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2520 affects the POP3 protocol implementation within Gattaca Server 2003 version 1.1.10.0, representing a classic denial of service weakness that exploits improper input validation mechanisms. This flaw specifically targets authenticated users who can leverage the vulnerability to crash the application by sending maliciously crafted numeric values to three critical POP3 commands: LIST, RETR, and UIDL. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and input sanitization within the server's POP3 protocol handler, allowing attackers to provide oversized numeric parameters that exceed the server's expected processing capabilities.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a buffer overflow or integer overflow condition when the server processes the large numeric values submitted through the POP3 commands. The flaw occurs during the parsing and validation of command arguments, where the server fails to properly validate the range and size of numeric parameters before proceeding with processing. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and CWE-190, which covers integer overflow or wraparound conditions. The impact is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that any authenticated user can potentially disrupt service availability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within a compromised environment. When the application crashes due to the malformed numeric input, it creates an opportunity for attackers to perform persistent denial of service attacks that could affect legitimate users' access to email services. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require special privileges beyond authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access is not strictly controlled. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts as a means of gaining access to systems. The server's crash condition could also provide opportunities for information disclosure or further exploitation if the application does not properly handle the crash conditions or if the crash reveals sensitive information through error messages.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Gattaca Server 2003 software to address the input validation weaknesses. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing proper input validation mechanisms that enforce reasonable bounds on numeric parameters within the POP3 protocol implementation. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the exposure of the vulnerable server to untrusted networks. Monitoring and logging of POP3 protocol activity should be enhanced to detect anomalous numeric parameter values that may indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and input validation reviews in legacy applications, as similar issues may exist in other protocol implementations within the same software ecosystem.