CVE-2004-2765 in iPlanet Messaging Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Webmail in Sun ONE Messaging Server 6.1 and iPlanet Messaging Server 5.2 before 5.2hf2.02, when Internet Explorer is used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted e-mail message, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-2022 and CVE-2006-5486.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2765 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Webmail component of Sun ONE Messaging Server 6.1 and iPlanet Messaging Server 5.2 prior to version 5.2hf2.02. This security weakness specifically targets users utilizing Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers and enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through the manipulation of email messages. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize user input within the email rendering process, creating an opening for attackers to inject malicious content that executes in the context of the victim's browser session.
This XSS vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security where input data is not adequately validated or sanitized before being incorporated into web pages. The flaw specifically manifests in the email message handling system where the server fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript commands. When Internet Explorer processes these malformed email messages, the browser executes the injected code as legitimate content, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling various attack vectors including cookie theft, session hijacking, and redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate user experiences and potentially access sensitive information. In the context of email servers, this represents a particularly dangerous flaw since email is often used as an attack vector for social engineering campaigns. Attackers can craft emails containing malicious scripts that execute when recipients open their messages, potentially stealing authentication tokens, redirecting users to phishing sites, or even installing malware through browser exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's designation as different from CVE-2005-2022 and CVE-2006-5486 indicates it represents a distinct code path or implementation flaw rather than a related variant of existing XSS issues.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing, as it enables attackers to craft more sophisticated email-based attacks that can bypass traditional email security measures. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that email servers typically contain sensitive user information and may be used by administrators or privileged users who could be targeted for credential theft or privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it attractive to both opportunistic attackers and organized threat groups. Organizations using affected messaging server versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to email accounts, potential data breaches, and compromise of user authentication credentials.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patch application to update to versions 5.2hf2.02 or later where the XSS filtering mechanisms have been properly implemented. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as email content filtering, web application firewalls, and enhanced browser security policies that restrict script execution in email contexts. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper input validation mechanisms within the email rendering pipeline would provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Organizations should also consider user education regarding the risks of opening suspicious emails and implement regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and the necessity of comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such flaws from reaching production environments.